Key Points:
- Shah Rukh Khan turns 60 today, November 2, 2025, born in Delhi in 1965
- SRK’s first salary was ₹50 earned working as an usher at legendary ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas’ concert in Delhi
- Used entire first salary to visit Taj Mahal in Agra by train, but journey ended with memorable mishap found bee in lassi and vomited throughout return journey
- Current net worth estimated at $876.5 million (₹7,500 crore), making him one of the world’s richest actors and wealthiest in India
- Started career with TV serials Fauji (1988) and Circus before Bollywood debut with Deewana (1992)
- 2023 marked phenomenal comeback with Pathaan and Jawan, both crossing ₹1,000 crore at box office, followed by Dunki
- Upcoming film King will feature daughter Suhana Khan, with production budget estimated at ₹200 crore
- Owns production house Red Chillees Entertainment, IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders, and lives in iconic Mannat mansion worth ₹200 crore
Mumbai: As Bollywood’s undisputed Badshah Shah Rukh Khan celebrates his 60th birthday today, on November 2, 2025, his journey from earning a mere ₹50 to building an empire worth $876.5 million (approximately ₹7,500 crore) stands as one of cinema’s most inspiring success stories. Born on November 2, 1965, in Delhi, Khan’s path to superstardom was paved with humble beginnings, odd jobs, and unwavering determination that would eventually make him one of the world’s richest actors.
The Iconic ₹50 Salary Story
Shah Rukh Khan’s first-ever earnings came not from acting, but from working as an usher at a live ghazal concert by legendary singer Pankaj Udhas in Delhi. His job was straightforward: helping concertgoers find their seats and ensuring proper arrangements during the musical event. For this work, the young SRK received a payment of ₹50, a modest sum that would become the seed money for one of his most memorable early adventures.
During an interview with PTI while promoting his 2017 film Raees, Shah Rukh fondly recalled, “I have travelled some long distances when I was younger. I did one when I got my first earnings from a Pankaj Udhas concert. I was an usher. We got Rs 50, so we went to the Taj Mahal, saved money”. The actor also revealed this story on Remo D’Souza’s dance reality show Dance Plus, sharing intimate details of that unforgettable journey.
The Taj Mahal Trip That Went Wrong
With his hard-earned ₹50 clutched firmly in hand, young Shah Rukh decided to fulfill a dream visiting the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra. He used the money to purchase train tickets for the journey from Delhi to Agra, excited to witness one of the world’s most beautiful monuments. However, what was meant to be a cherished memory turned into a comically disastrous experience.
According to Shah Rukh’s detailed account on Dance Plus, after spending most of his money on train tickets, he purchased a pink-colored lassi from a vendor outside the Taj Mahal. His luck took a turn for the worse when he discovered a bee floating in the drink. After consuming the contaminated lassi, Shah Rukh became violently ill and spent the entire train journey back to Delhi vomiting, with his head hanging out of the train window. The ordeal was so severe that he couldn’t even take a single photograph with the Taj Mahal, leaving him without any visual memento of his first major trip funded by his own earnings.
Despite the unfortunate turn of events, Shah Rukh has repeatedly stated that this experience remains one of the most memorable journeys of his life, as it taught him the true value of hard work and self-earned money. The actor has also credited Pankaj Udhas for being instrumental in his success, once saying, “With Chupke Chupke, he is the one man who is more than responsible for my success”.
From Theatre to Television to Bollywood
Before becoming King Khan, Shah Rukh Khan’s journey began in Delhi’s theatre circuit, where he performed in plays and took on various odd jobs to make ends meet. In another revelation, SRK disclosed that he also worked as a ticket seller at theatres, earning ₹50 for that job as well. During the grand finale episode of the &TV show “India Poochega Sabse Shaana Kaun?” in 2015, he spoke about his first job selling theatre tickets and how he dreamed of visiting the Taj Mahal.
Shah Rukh Khan made his acting debut with the television series Fauji in 1988, where he portrayed a young army trainee. This was followed by another successful TV show, Circus, which helped establish his presence on the small screen. His television work eventually opened doors to Bollywood, where he made his film debut with the romantic thriller Deewana in 1992.
Rise to Superstardom
Following his debut, Shah Rukh Khan quickly established himself as Bollywood’s premier romantic hero with iconic films like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), which he signed without even reading the script, simply trusting director Aditya Chopra’s vision. His portrayal of Raj in DDLJ made him the undisputed king of romance in Indian cinema. The actor has famously played characters named Rahul in nine different films, including Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham.
His filmography expanded beyond romance to include diverse roles in critically acclaimed films such as Chak De! India (2007), where he portrayed a women’s hockey coach, and action-packed blockbusters that showcased his versatility as an actor. Over three decades, Khan has delivered numerous superhit films that have not only dominated the box office but also left an indelible mark on popular culture.
The Phenomenal 2023 Comeback
After a relatively quiet period, 2023 marked Shah Rukh Khan’s spectacular return to box office dominance with three major releases. His film Pathaan, an action thriller, became a massive commercial success, crossing the ₹1,000 crore mark at the global box office. This was followed by Jawan, directed by Atlee, which also surpassed ₹1,000 crore in collections, cementing SRK’s status as a bankable superstar even at the age of 58. His third release of the year, Dunki, directed by Rajkumar Hirani, also achieved considerable success, making 2023 one of the most successful years of his career.
Building a Business Empire
Beyond his acting career, Shah Rukh Khan has built a formidable business empire that contributes significantly to his massive net worth of $876.5 million (approximately ₹7,500 crore). He owns Red Chillees Entertainment, a successful production house that has produced numerous hit films. Khan is also the co-owner of the Kolkata Knight Riders, an Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket team that has won the championship multiple times.
The superstar resides in Mannat, his iconic six-story bungalow located in Bandra, Mumbai, valued at an estimated ₹200 crore. His wealth surpasses that of other Bollywood giants, including Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, and Amitabh Bachchan, making him the wealthiest actor in India and one of the richest actors globally.
Personal Quirks and Achievements
Shah Rukh Khan’s life is filled with fascinating details that his fans cherish. His lucky number is 555, which appears in the registration numbers of all his cars and in many of his staff members’ phone numbers. He holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Edinburgh for his philanthropy work and global cultural influence. In a historic achievement, SRK was awarded the Malaysian title of Datuk, becoming the first Indian actor to receive this honor.
Interestingly, his father once owned a restaurant in Delhi, a fact that many fans remain unaware of. During the 1994 release of Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa, Shah Rukh once sold movie tickets at a Mumbai theater, staying connected to his roots even as his career was taking off.
Upcoming Project: King
Currently, Shah Rukh Khan is generating immense excitement for his upcoming film titled King, which is being projected as a major cinematic event for his fans. The film has an estimated production budget of around ₹200 crore and will mark a special milestone as it features his daughter Suhana Khan in a significant role. The actor has stated that, like every character he has portrayed throughout his illustrious career, he has poured his heart and soul into this film.
Legacy of Inspiration
Today, Shah Rukh Khan is not merely an actor but a living embodiment of hard work, passion, unwavering determination, and phenomenal success. His journey from a Delhi boy earning ₹50 as an usher at a concert to becoming one of the world’s richest and most influential actors serves as a powerful testament to the possibility of achieving extraordinary dreams through dedication and perseverance.
His Taj Mahal anecdote, despite its humorous and unfortunate ending, reminds millions of aspiring artists and dreamers that even the smallest experiences, including failures and setbacks, can transform into great life lessons and cherished memories. As SRK himself has often emphasized, it’s not where you start but the persistence and passion you bring to your journey that ultimately defines success.
As Bollywood’s King Khan celebrates six decades of life today, his story continues to inspire generations across the globe, proving that with talent, resilience, and an unshakeable belief in oneself, it’s possible to turn modest beginnings into an empire that rules not just the box office but millions of hearts worldwide.
