Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan turns 56, stays away from the spotlight

In the middle of a media storm, Bollywood heart-throb Shah Rukh Khan turned 56 on Tuesday. There were no fan visits at Mumbai home, Mannat, or Instagram-pushed glimpses into his celebrations however. day. Instead, if Indian media reports are to be believed, Khan’s manager told police that the whole family – barring daughter Suhana, who is in the US – is at their farmhouse in Alibaug.

The change is probably welcomed by the family who have been in the spotlight in a drugs-related case that saw Aryan Khan incarcerated for nearly a month. Aryan made bail on October 28 and the terms of his release state that he must stay in Mumbai and be available for any NCB questions. He is also supposed to show up at the NCB office every Friday.

Shah Rukh Khan is known for some trademark moves – and while he’s played the anti-hero, the struggling protagonist and the angry young man, what he’s best known for his the intensity of character he brings to every role.

Shah Rukh Khan has fans across the globe – including in Hollywood. Did you know, Zayn Malik, former One Direction member, is a fan?

On his birthday this year, here’s a look at the man who is one Bollywood’s biggest stars.

The legendary star kick-started his career with a stint in TV – he was on the 90s show, Fauji, as a young cadet. He then wowed fans by moving to the big screen; he made his Bollywood debut in 'Deewana' in 1992.

A sea of fans immerse themselves in the spirit of celebration every year to catch a glimpse of their hero, who smiles and waves from his balcony. Last year, however, he was there because of the ongoing pandemic and he asked people to stay away. In a #AskSRK Twitter session at the time he said: "Please, I recommend nobody should collect in crowds. My birthday or wherever! Iss baar ka pyaar...thodha door se yaar. [This time express the love from a distance.]"

Shah Rukh Khan, who kicked off his career 25 years ago, would go on to work in movies such as 'Dil Aashna Hai', 'Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman' and 'Yes Boss'. Then would come successes like Darr and Baagizar, and suddenly the audience was in for a surprise. The Hindi film’s anti-hero had made an official entry. Suddenly, ‘bad’ was not so ‘bad’ and good could be bit of a yawn.

He became a household name however thanks to the 1995 runaway hit 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge', where he was paired opposite Kajol.

Not satisfied with his roles in front of the camera, Khan decided to do something different - he turned producer. His early productions - 'Asoka' and 'Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani' - weren’t successful, but slowly and steadily, Khan and wife Gauri managed to build one of the most profitable production houses in India. Films produced by him include 'Chennai Express', 'Main Hoon Na', 'Om Shanti Om', 'Happy New Year', 'Dear Zindagi', 'Raees' and 'Badla'.

Khan can do everything in the world – and that includes dancing at weddings. While star performances at weddings are a common fixture now, it was practically unheard of in the '90s when he started it.

He’s a versatile actor. Just see him perform in films such as 'Maya Memsaab', 'Hey Ram', 'Paheli' and 'My Name is Khan' – he’s more than a one-track pony.

The Bollywood star has been given an award for his philanthropic work advancing women's rights. His fan base runs into the billions and he says he wants to make the world a better place. This year, as COVID-19 wreaked havoc, Khan turned his four-storey home, which has been designed by his wife, into a 22-bed quarantine facility.