Shah Rukh Khan: 60 Not Out, Still the King

Age, they say, is just a number. But when it comes to Shah Rukh Khan, it’s less a word and more a triumphant verdict. Today, he turns 60. Yet, if you’ve met him, you’d agree he hardly looks or acts his age. His sheer energy reminds me of the youthful spark Mahesh Bhatt always carried. Among the current generation, only Ranveer Singh can truly match his vibrant intensity.

I had the unique opportunity to interview him back in Mumbai when he gave his very first interview there. I’ve been following his trajectory since he first landed in Bombay from Delhi. I was always sure this newcomer would make it big in Tinseltown, but where he has actually positioned himself is beyond my wildest imagination.

The Global Icon and the Billionaire Club

Recently, he officially became the wealthiest star in the world, surpassing Hollywood giants like Tom Cruise and Leonardo DiCaprio. His staggering worth is now pegged at over ₹12,000 crores (as per a recent Hurun report). He is an icon not just in India, but his success has catapulted him into a true global star.

When Barack Obama visited India, he famously praised Shah Rukh and even quoted a dialogue from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ). Even the controversial American president, who has a love-hate relationship with India, lauded him in his speech.

His international accolades are immense: he’s received the highest civilian honors from countries like France (the Legion of Honour) and Malaysia (the title of ‘Datuk’). He has also been conferred with multiple honorary doctorate degrees by various universities worldwide. Today, he is frequently invited to deliver lectures at leading business schools globally, essentially acting as a global ambassador for our country. He is more than just our pride; his charisma mesmerizes the entire world.

If he has his grand residence ‘Mannat’ in Mumbai, he also acquired a villa, ‘Jannat,’ gifted by the ruler of Dubai at the posh Palm Jumeirah. He also reportedly owns properties in London and the USA.

Analysing the Secret of His Success

What is the secret to his unbelievable success? Hopefully, you’ll find this analysis compelling, as few can provide these behind-the-scenes details.

Shah Rukh is now the owner of the film production and distribution company Red Chillies Entertainment. He initially co-founded ‘Dreams Unlimited’ with Aziz Mirza and Juhi Chawla, but after three consecutive box-office bombs, the company suffered heavy losses. While anyone else might have crumbled, not Shah Rukh. He closed that loss-bearing venture and opened Red Chillies, this time choosing his better half, Gauri Khan, as his partner.

The next stumbling block was finance. A man of his stature could easily procure a loan, but Shah Rukh Khan is different. He knows that loans have destroyed many producers—take the recent case of Vashu Bhagnani, whose film Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (starring Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff) tanked, forcing him to repay ₹200 crores, reportedly by selling his property. Boney Kapoor and Jeetendra faced similar financial ruin after major flops.
Shah Rukh is not naïve. He smartly arranges his finances by pulling advance payments from his advertisers for future events and appearances. This creates a win-win situation: he doesn’t need to procure high-interest loans, and the advertisers secure him for their future campaigns.

We know Shah Rukh has a sports background (remember Chak De! India?). He purchased the IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for around ₹300 crores. It was the brainchild of Lalit Modi, who coaxed Shah Rukh to join. Modi, with his Marwari ‘Bania’ business mind, foresaw the rosy picture: Shah Rukh would bring glamour, turning the cricket league into a carnival and filling the coffers.

Shah Rukh, on the other hand, showed the daring of a Miyan Bhai, believing ‘Fortune favours the brave.’ Today, KKR is reportedly valued at a staggering ₹9,000 crores plus, a testament to his sheer business acumen.

Let me also disclose a little-known fact: Mannat was originally a Parsi villa. He purchased it from the advance payments he received for acting in films, paying only around ₹13 crores for the sea-facing bungalow. It is now valued at well over ₹200 crores.

This is how he became the richest star in the world. Recently, at the success party for Aryan Khan’s record-breaking OTT series Bads of Bollywood, Shah Rukh committed that he is now relieved because his son has become a man and will run the family business. He says he will now only act when he truly feels like it.
He is only 60, and he still has “miles to go before he sleeps.”

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