At a fan event celebrating his 59th birthday on November 2, Shah Rukh Khan revealed that he has quit smoking. This announcement was met with enthusiasm from his fans, many of whom pledged to follow his lead. Despite their admiration, SRK emphasized that he doesn’t see himself as a role model in this aspect, having struggled with smoking for over 30 years.
In a video from the event, fans expressed their commitment to give up smoking, to which Shah Rukh responded, “Whatever you feel is right, do that. I am not a role model.” He further noted that he does not feel it’s appropriate to preach about quitting after having smoked for so long. “It’s ironic that after 30 years of smoking, I’m advising against it. We know it’s harmful. If you can give it up, that’s great. If you can’t, that’s unfortunate. But ultimately, do what feels right for you at the right time.”
Shah Rukh’s announcement was met with cheers from the audience as he stated, “The good news is that I’m not smoking anymore, guys. I thought quitting would stop me from feeling breathless, but I still do. Inshallah, that will also improve.”
In a candid 2011 interview, he had mentioned smoking around 100 cigarettes a day, often neglecting food and water, and relying on coffee to get by.
During the event, SRK also motivated his fans to pursue their dreams regardless of their backgrounds, sharing, “I come from a lower middle-class family. My education was a priority for my parents, and it has been valuable in my life. Many of us start from nothing, but if you work hard, keep learning, and chase your dreams, you can achieve great things.”
Shah Rukh Khan is set to appear next in Sujoy Ghosh’s film, King, though he has yet to officially announce the project.
