At 59, Birthday Boy Shah Rukh Khan Still The Most Bankable Superstar

Mumbai: As Shah Rukh Khan turned a year older on Saturday, social media was flooded with birthday wishes for the actor.

They say age is just a number, and Bollywood badshah Shah Rukh is a glowing example of that.

Unlike other established artists of the industry, who transitioned to their second innings around the age of 50 by taking up roles of older generation, Shah Rukh is still the most bankable lead actor at 59.

Let’s take a look at what some older stars were up to at this age:

* When Amitabh Bachchan was in his late 50s, he played Shah Rukh’s father in Karan Johar’s ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham.’

*  Rekha in her 50s played Hrithik Roshan’s mother in ‘Koi Mil Gaya’ and then his grandmother in Rakesh Roshan’s ‘Krrish.’

* Rajinikanth was at the peak of his career at 59. He played a double role of scientist and robot in S Shankar’s sci-fi epic ‘Robot aka Enthiran.’

* Kamal Haasan too was at the peak of his career when he was 59.

Approaching 60, Shah Rukh still leaves cash registers ringing at the box-office. In 2023, Bollywood’s King Khan delivered three blockbuster hits — ‘Pathaan’, ‘Jawan’ and ‘Dunki.’

Revealing the secret behind his fitness, Shah Rukh told The Guardian that he goes to sleep at 5 am after his routine workout, but wakes up by 9 am or 10 am.

In an interview with expressfoodie.com in 2016, SRK shared about his diet.

Asked what he eats to stay fit, the actor said, “Nothing! But I give up white rice, white bread, sugar and alcohol if I have to get in shape for a particular role besides ensuring that I eat smaller portions. I eat lean meats, pulses, egg whites and grilled chicken.”

He added that he’s addicted to tandoori chicken. “I can eat it 365 days a year. Some time ago, I had eaten a type of caviar on an Air India flight. But it’s been a while since I have eaten it anywhere again.”

Security was beefed up outside Mannat for his birthday.

Here’s a look:

Like every year, thousands of fans gathered outside Mannat to wish their favourite superstar on his birthday.

Of them, there was a special fan who had been waiting outside the actor’s house for 95 days just to catch a glimpse of his idol.

According to an NDTV report, the man came from Jharkhand and runs a computer centre in his hometown.

Sharing how he travelled all the way from Jharkhand to Mumbai to meet SRK, the fan said, “Gaon me mera centre hai computer ka, usko band kar ke Shah Rukh sir se milne ke liye aya hu. Aur jab tak nahi milunga, tab tak yaha se mai nahi jaunga.”

Asked about the losses he incurred in his business during these 95 days, he said, “Nuksaan ho raha hai, bohut nuksaan ho raha hai. Kya karoon? Fir milna hai.”

“Mai milne ke liye yaha aaya hu. Mai milke nahi jaunga to mera izzat nahi bachega,” he added.

Shah Rukh is throwing a lavish birthday party at Mannat for close friends and family members.

The actor and his wife Gauri Khan have sent invitations to 250 guests including Ranveer Singh, Kareena Kapoor Khan Khan, Karan Johar and Alia Bhatt.

Take a look at some of the birthday messages for SRK: