Shahrukh Khan turns 50

For him, age is just a number. It just does not seem to wither him. 

Having lived under the arc lights and hearts of adoring fans for quarter of a century,  Shahrukh Khan  turned 50 on November 2 and only an insatiate workaholic like him can say on the occasion that “picture abhi baaki hai” when most others in  showbiz would possibly prepare to walk into the twilight. 

His eyes as sparkling as ever, the Bollywood badshah stood in a balcony of his house “Mannat” in Mumbai suburb Bandra, blew kisses at his fans, waved and smiled at them. On his 50th birthday, the superstar said he was “humbled” by the love that his fans showered on him, drawing lusty cheers and whistles from the crowd that filled the street outside the house. 

“Right now so humbled by the attention and love being given to my birthday. Didn't ever realise living will be so beautiful. Thanks all,” the actor posted on social media platforms.

At night, he cut a cake with his family members --- wife Gauri, sons Aryan and AbRam and daughter Suhana.

“Happy birthday Shah Rukh... it's just us tonight,” Gauri posted with a photograph on Facebook. The actor is seen cutting a cake with white frosting.

Earlier, he also addressed the media where he joined the chorus against “growing intolerance” in India and said “religious intolerance and not being secular…is the worst kind of crime that you can do as a patriot. Creativity is secular.” 

The workaholic that he is, Khan on his 50th birthday announced he was far from slowing down. In fact, he made it clear that he would do three films every year over the next five years and reached out to his fans to treat them with a glimpse into his upcoming movie “Fan”, a Yash Raj Films (YRF) production.

Its first 63-second teaser was launched earlier this year but on his birthday, Khan released the second teaser--- a much-longer version --- for his fans. The film is about Gaurav, a commoner, who's in awe of superstar Aryan Khanna--- much like many Bollywood buffs who idolize cine stars in India. 

Khan says “Fan” has offered him one of the most challenging roles of his career and it's a most special film for him because he is not sure if he has done the right or wrong thing by accepting it.  

A host of Khan's celebrity friends in Bollywood, including director-producer Karan Johar, actors Hrithik Roshan, Anupam Kher and Preity Zinta, took to Twitter to wish SRK. Some shared how the actor's journey from the small screen to the big screen has been phenomenal while others said his charm and warmth make them consider him like family.

Starting from TV serials in 1990s, Khan has appeared in a range of films action-packed, romantic, dramatic and comedy roles through his career and is one of the most successful actors in Hindi cinema. 

With films like “Baazigar”, “Badshah”, “Duplicate”, “Karan Arjun”, “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge”, “Dil To Pagal Hai”, “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai”, “Dil Se..”, “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham”, “Swades”, “Kal Ho Naa Ho” and “My Name Is Khan”---he has remained not only the best bet for box office success but lived up to expectations of his fans again and again. 

Khan's journey continues with his forthcoming films “Dilwale” and “Fan”.