When Shah Rukh said he'd still smell as sweet whatever name you call him by: 'Never been made aware of my religion here'

Shah Rukh Khan once opened up about what it would be like for him, if he had a different name, something like Shekhar Radha Krishna. He also spoke about his ‘wonderful country’ India.

Shah Rukh Khan was once asked if he feels the reaction to him and the love he gets from fans would be any different if his name was something else. During a 2009 event, he was asked if his name, popular as SRK, stood for Shekhar Radha Krishna, would his life and status as an ‘icon’ be any different. The actor had responded by saying whether called Shah Rukh Khan or Shekhar Radha Krishna, he would still smell as sweet. Shah Rukh had added that he had never been made aware of his religion in this ‘wonderful country’ India. Read more: When Shah Rukh said ‘I am a Muslim, my wife is a Hindu and my kids are Hindustan’

Shah Rukh Khan speaking during a 2009 event.

Shah Rukh, who is also known as King Khan and SRK, began his acting career in television with the 1989 show Fauji. He then went on to star in shows like Circus (1989-90) and Idiot (1991). He made his Bollywood debut with the 1992 film Deewana, which also earned him the Filmfare Award for best debut male. Since then, he’s worked in a wide range of films like Baazigar (1993), Darr (1993), Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), Mohabbatein (2000) and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... (2001), Chak De! India (2007), Chennai Express (2013) and Happy New Year (2014), among others.

“I don’t think there would be any difference (if he had a different name). I have never been made aware through my profession, or otherwise, about my religion in this wonderful country. I find it really strange when I hear this also. I think artists have this tendency to transcend divisions. I think art and artists have that tendency since you don’t really consider who is from what community, from what sect, you just like it/them or you don’t. I would still smell as sweet whatever name you call me by,” Shah Rukh had said during the India Today Conclave in 2009.

During the same interaction, Shah Rukh was asked if cinema and art played a role in religion or spirituality. Shah Rukh had then said, “I think spirituality is a private thing. It has to come from within. For me, acting is spiritual. It will be fantastic if we can do it through cinema. But if I do it through cinema, my spirituality may not work for you. It will stop being universal. But it is a good thought. The only thing is that the film won’t be a hit.”

Shah Rukh will be next seen in director Siddharth Anand's Pathaan alongside Deepika Padukone and John Abraham. The film is set to hit the theatres on January 25, 2023. He also has Atlee's Jawaan alongside actor Nayanthara, which is slated to release on June 2, 2023, and Rajkumar Hirani's Dunki opposite Taapsee Pannu.