“Shah Rukh Khan could’ve been a scientist or athlete”: Childhood friend Rahul Dev recalls King Khan’s school days
Before becoming the King of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan was a regular boy from Delhi studying at St. Columba’s School. In a recent interview, actor Rahul Dev, who co-starred with SRK in Asoka and was also his senior at school, spoke warmly about their early days and shared what Shah Rukh was really like back then.
Shah Rukh was a natural all-rounder in school
Speaking with SCREEN, Rahul Dev recalled meeting Shah Rukh during cricket practice and school sports matches. When asked about Shah Rukh’s school life, Rahul described him as someone who was brilliant in everything — from studies to sports.
He said Shah Rukh was not only good in academics but also played for the school’s football, cricket, and hockey teams. He was even great at gymnastics and sprinting. According to Rahul, SRK was truly gifted and could have chosen any career — he could’ve been a scientist, athlete, or anything he wanted.
Drama and acting came naturally to Shah Rukh
Rahul also remembered how active Shah Rukh was in school plays and functions. He often took the lead roles in dramas, and it was clear even back then that he was born to perform. Acting seemed to come naturally to him, but Rahul was quick to add that Shah Rukh had so many talents, he could have succeeded in any field he picked.
He also pointed out that their school was full of talented students, many of whom went on to do great things in different professions. Shah Rukh, of course, became one of the biggest stars in the world — but that didn’t surprise anyone who knew him back then.
What’s next for Rahul Dev and Shah Rukh Khan
Rahul Dev was recently seen in the Tamil film Good Bad Ugly, alongside Ajith Kumar. As for Shah Rukh Khan, he is currently filming King, an action-packed thriller directed by Siddharth Anand. The film is extra special as it marks the big-screen debut of his daughter, Suhana Khan.
King also stars Deepika Padukone, Anil Kapoor, Rani Mukerji, Arshad Warsi, Abhishek Bachchan, Jackie Shroff, and Abhay Verma. The movie is expected to hit theaters in 2026 and promises to be a thrilling ride.
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