'I am awed by the progress Dubai has made'

Shah Rukh Khan has dominated Bollywood for more than a decade. The 43-year-old actor started his career in TV serials in the late 1980s.

He made his big-screen debut with Deewana (1992). He went against the norm and played negative roles in Baazigar and Darr, which turned out to be huge hits.

The blockbuster Diwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge established him as a superstar and later hits such as Pardes, Dil To Pagal Hai, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Mohabattein, Devdas and Kal Ho Na Ho made him the king of Bollywood.

His popularity reached its peak when the Chak De! India hit theatres and he flaunted his six-pack abs soon after in Om Shanti Om, which went on to become Bollywood's highest grosser.

The actor has won 11 Filmfare Awards and his latest release, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, has recorded terrific box office collections all over the world.

Khan has recently been listed in the Top 50 powerful people in the world by Newsweek.

Favourite holiday destination: the UAE

I love visiting the UAE. I am awed by the progress Dubai has made. Parts of the city remind me of Manhattan in New York. I admire the architecture but am also fascinated by the facilities and amenities, which include world-class shopping malls and fine dining in some of the best hotels of the world.

Burj Al Arab is among the best hotels I have visited. Ras Al Khaimah has great scenic beauty. But it is the people that make me want to visit the UAE again and again.

Memorable moments in the UAE

Whenever I get the chance to interact with my fans there. But I will also count those when I come to the UAE on a holiday with my family and live in my villa in Palm Island.

What not to do in the UAE

Do not disobey the law of the country — the government grants you considerable freedom and luxuries.

Three must-haves on a holiday

My wife and two kids. But I would also include my passport, credit card or foreign exchange and my laptop.

Any other favourite destination?

I love New York, South Africa and Switzerland. But I am very attached to Malaysia and the UK, especially London.

— Abdulla Mahmood is a UAE-based freelance writer