As Shah Rukh Khan marked 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 welcome from fans in the Karnataka city on June 25. Videos and pictures from the event quickly went viral on social media, with fans sharing invitation passes and wristbands as they gathered to celebrate the occasion.Visuals of Shah Rukh arriving at the airport showed hundreds of fans waiting to catch a glimpse of him. The actor acknowledged the crowd by blowing flying kisses before heading to the venue in a luxury car. He later made a stylish entry to the beats of Jhoome Jo Pathaan, one of the most popular tracks from Pathaan.Addressing the audience, Shah Rukh greeted them with a warm “namaskara” 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 the warmth, love, goodness and excitement, right from the airport to the drive down here, amidst all you people, felt great,” he said, drawing loud cheers from the crowd.
A city connected to Shah Rukh’s childhood
Though born in New Delhi in 1965, Shah Rukh spent his early childhood in Mangalore. His grandfather, Ifthikar Ahmed, served as the chief engineer of the Mangalore Port, and the family lived in the city until Shah Rukh was around five years old.The family initially stayed at Hat Hill before moving to Harbour House, a bungalow located within the port area. Over the years, as Shah Rukh rose to become one of Indian cinema’s biggest stars, his childhood residence in Mangalore became 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 Bollywood’s most celebrated actors. More than three decades later, the actor continues to command an unparalleled fan following.