Aug 08, 2009 03:58 PM
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Shahrukh Khan born November 2, 1965, sometimes credited as Shah Rukh Khan, is an Indian actor, who has been a prominent Bollywood figure, as well as a film producer and television host.
Khan began his career appearing in several television serials in the late 1980s. He made his film debut in Deewana(1992). Since then, he has been part of numerous commercially successful films and has earned critical acclaim for many of his performances. During his years in the Indian film industry, Khan has won thirteen Filmfare Awards, seven of which are in the Best Actor category.
Khan's films such as Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge(1995), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai(1998), Chak De India(2007), Om Shanti Om(2007) and Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi(2008) remain some of Bollywood's biggest hits, while films like Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham(2001), Kal Ho Naa Ho(2003), Veer-Zaara(2004) and Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna(2006) have been top-grossing Indian productions in the overseas markets, making him one of the most successful actors of India. Since 2000, Khan branched out into film production and television presenting as well. He is the founder/owner of two production companies, Dreamz Unlimited and Red Chillies Entertainment. In 2008, Newsweek named him one of the 50 most powerful people in the world.
Khan was born in 1965 to Muslim parents of Pathan descent in New Delhi, India. His father, Taj Mohammed Khan, was an Indian freedom fighter from Peshawar, British India. According to Khan, his paternal grandfather was originally from Afghanistan.His mother, Lateef Fatima, was the adopted daughter of Major General Shah Nawaz Khan of the Janjua Rajput clan, who served as a General in the Indian National Army of Subash Chandra Bose. Khan's father came to New Delhi from Qissa Khawani Bazaar in Peshawar before the partition of India, while his mother's family came from Rawalpindi, British India. Khan has an elder sister named Shehnaz.
Khan attended St. Columba's School where he was accomplished in sports, drama, and academics. He won the Sword of Honour, an annual award given to the student who best represents the spirit of the school. Khan later attended the Hansraj College(1985-1988) and earned his Economics(honors). Though he pursued a Masters Degree in Mass Communications at Jamia Millia Islamia, he later opted out to make his career in Bollywood.
After the death of his parents, Khan moved to Mumbai in 1991.In that same year, before any of his films were released, he married Gauri Chibber(who is a Hindu) in a traditional Hindu wedding ceremony on 25 October 1991. They have two children, son Aryan(b. 1997) and daughter Suhana(b. 2000). According to Khan, while he strongly believes in Allah, he also values his wife's religion. At home, his children follow both religions, with the Qur'an being situated next to the Hindu gods
