as Shah Rukh Khan Marking the 34th anniversary of his Bollywood debut Deewana, the superstar chose to celebrate the milestone in a city that holds a special place in his heart — Mangalore, where he spent the first five years of his life.The actor, who made his big screen debut in director Raj Kanwar’s 1992 romantic drama Deewana, received a grand reception from fans in the Karnataka city on June 25. Videos and pictures of the event quickly went viral on social media, with fans sharing invitation passes and wristbands to celebrate the occasion.Shah Rukh’s arrival scene at the airport showed hundreds of fans waiting to catch a glimpse of him. The actor acknowledged the crowd by blowing a flying kiss before driving to the venue in a luxury car. He later made a stylish entry to the beats of Jhume Jo Pathan, one of Pathan’s most popular songs.Addressing the audience, Shah Rukh greeted them with a warm “Namaskar” in Kannada and expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming reception.“Thank you, Mangalore! First of all, when I was coming here, I didn’t know what to expect. But from the airport to the car, the warmth, love, affection and excitement, between all of you, was amazing,” he said, drawing loud cheers from the crowd.
A city attached to it Shahrukh’s childhood
Although born in New Delhi in 1965, Shah Rukh spent his childhood in Mangalore. His grandfather, Iftikhar Ahmed, served as chief engineer of Mangalore port and the family lived in the city until Shah Rukh was about five years old.The family initially stayed at Hut Hill before moving to Harbor House, a bungalow within the harbor area. Over the years, as Shah Rukh has become one of the biggest stars of Indian cinema, his childhood residence in Mangalore has become a point of interest for fans visiting the city.Released in 1992, Deewana launched Shah Rukh’s film career and paved the way for his rise as one of the most celebrated actors in Bollywood. More than three decades later, the actor continues to have an unparalleled fan following.
