Bollywood Flashback: When A Six Year Old SRK Sent Flying Kisses To Girls

Right since the 90’s era, Shah Rukh Khan has ruled Bollywood as the King of romance. His romantic films, melodious songs and signature dance steps have managed to impress us more than once. Well that’s the reason this ‘King Khan’ is also known as ‘The King of Romance’. One can never forget his ballad of romance in films like ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ (1995), ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ (1998), ‘Mohabbatein’ (2000), ‘Veer-Zaara’ (2004), ‘Dil To Pagal Hai’ (1997) and many more. Whenever he opens up his arms and recites romantic verses, millions of hearts lighten up, especially of his female fans. The Badshah Khan enjoys having the maximum female fans and cherishes their love for him and his movies. But little do they know that the same ‘King of Romance’ at one time in his life, was shy in the company of girls!

Well there are a few tales associated with SRK’s childhood.  Shah Rukh Khan was named Abdul Rehman by his maternal grandmother. But Shah Rukh’s father Mir Taj Mohammed changed his name to Shahrukh as his daughter’s name was Lalarukh. As per Shah Rukh, he inherited his witty humour from his father. An amusing incident from SRK’s childhood goes like this: Shah Rukh used to tease a South Indian girl next door by messing with her letter box. Her mother came to Shah Rukh’s house and started complaining in broken Hindi, ‘Aapka ladka, ladki ko chedta hai meri’ (your son is teasing my daughter). To which Mir Raj Mohammed replied, ‘Is she as pretty as you are?’ The lady was bedazzled and later replied back by saying ‘Yes’.  Hearing that Shah Rukh’s father said, ‘Then I don’t blame my son. If I had met you earlier even I would have been after you!’

One more incident happened in the presence of his father when Shah Rukh was just six years old. Shah Rukh had developed a habit of sitting around his gate and teasing school girls passing by. He used to send flying kisses to them. One morning, a girl walked into his house complaining to his father about how his son was harassing her. Mir Taj Mohammed thought it must be the neighbour’s teenage son who was responsible. He was sure that it could not be Shah Rukh as he was too young. He asked her to wait, thinking that once she sees Shah Rukh, she would be embarrassed about the mistaken identity. He called Shah Rukh and the moment Shah Rukh walked into the room, his dad turned to the girl with a smirk on his face. Before he could say something, Shah Rukh blew her a kiss and said ‘Hi beautiful’. As per Shah Rukh that was the first and last girl he ever made a pass to.

This incident made him super cautious related to girls and worse was when he used to miss his school bus. Shah Rukh used to play till late in the night with his friend due to which he started waking up late. Whenever he got up late he would miss his school bus. This was not acceptable to Mir Raj Mohammed. Thus he made an arrangement where, whenever Shah Rukh missed his school bus, he would have to travel to school in an only-girls’ school bus. Shah Rukh used to hate going in that bus as all his friends used to tease him and it was totally embarrassing for him to be in the company of so many girls. Due to these incidents, Shah Rukh developed shyness towards girls and hated to be in their company. Never did he know that this discomfort and hatred would fade away one day and make him ‘The King of Romance’ in our films.

Fun Facts –

Mir Taj Mohammed fought for the freedom of the country, joined Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan. Later, he fought the elections against Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad and lost.

It is said that Mir Taj Mohammed also tried his luck into the glamorous world of cinema but returned back in a short while. In the film line, he knew Dilip Kumar, Motilal and many others. In fact, he knew Anil Kapoor’s father very well. He used to tell Shah Rukh, “If you want to join films, I will tell SK Kapoor to make you an actor.” Shah Rukh remembered they were launching ‘Woh Saat Din’ (1983) at that time and his dad told him, “If you ever go to Bombay, meet him.” Shah Rukh came and met the wrong SK Kapoor. Later, he met SK Kapoor, who gave him a few photographs of his father.

As a child Shah Rukh used to act in Ramleela and wrote short stories and Sher’s, which Mir Taj Mohammed used to make him recite in family gathering. He once composed a corny poem in praise of his aunt who wore horrendous pink lipstick. He used to also imitate the popular actress from the 70’ era – Mumtaz.

Source