Before Shah Rukh Khan became Bollywood’s superstar, he once surprised everyone with an unexpected academic feat. Long before films and fame, the actor had a brush with one of India’s toughest exams, revealing a lesser-known side of the King Khan story.
Education journey
Shah Rukh graduated in Economics from Delhi University and later studied Mass Communication at Jamia Millia Islamia. Few people know that he had also cleared the IIT entrance exam before enrolling at Delhi University.
Mother’s insistence on IIT
25 years ago, in a 2000 BBC interview with renowned journalist Karan Thapar, the superstar revealed that he had studied science in school but wanted to choose a different subject for his graduation. His mother, however, encouraged him to continue with science and urged him to take the IIT entrance exam.On his mother’s insistence, SRK took the IIT entrance exam—and cleared it. He recalled that while he wanted to study Economics after finishing science in school, his mother encouraged him to attempt the engineering exam first. After passing, she gave him her blessing to pursue Economics, saying he no longer needed to take the IIT route.
A liberal and independent upbringing
In the same interview, King Khan shared that his family was liberal and allowed religious independence. He explained that his parents gave him and his siblings the freedom to live life on their own terms.Khan also spoke about practicing Islam and performing namaz in his early life. He shared that he was encouraged to pray in a way that felt respectful and natural, rather than out of fear. He added that he hopes to raise his own children with the same approach—teaching respect without instilling fear.
