Long before becoming one of Bollywood’s biggest stars, Shah Rukh Khan had achieved something that continues to surprise even his most devoted fans — he cleared the prestigious IIT entrance examination. The revelation came during a 2000 interview with journalist Karan Thapar on BBC, where the actor spoke about his early academic life, his mother’s influence, and his liberal upbringing.
Mother’s Challenge That Changed His Course
During the conversation, Shah Rukh recalled how his mother had a strong belief in his scientific abilities and wanted him to continue in the field. Although he had studied science in school, he was keen on pursuing Economics for his higher education. When he expressed this desire, his mother encouraged him to first prove himself by taking the IIT entrance exam.
He shared, “When I was choosing my career, my mom said, ‘I would like you to go into sciences’. I said, ‘Okay, I can take an exam, but I would like to do economics because I had finished my sciences from school’. She said, ‘Oh, you want to shift over to economics, but can you do the IIT entrance? Can you do this engineering entrance?’ I said, ‘I can’, and she said, ‘Okay, just show it to me’. So I did it and I passed it. And then she said, ‘You don’t need to take it, you now go and do your economics’.”
Shah Rukh fulfilled her wish and proved his capability by cracking one of India’s toughest exams. His mother, impressed by his determination, allowed him to follow his passion instead of forcing him into engineering.
Academic Journey Before Films
After finishing school, Shah Rukh went on to study Economics at Hansraj College, Delhi University. Later, he pursued a degree in Mass Communication from Jamia Millia Islamia, which helped shape his creative instincts before he entered the entertainment industry. His academic background, especially in communication, became an asset as he transitioned into acting, where confidence and expression became his trademarks.
In the same BBC interview, Shah Rukh reflected on his upbringing, describing it as “liberal” and “free.” He said he and his elder sister were raised in an environment where they were never told what to do or what not to do. His parents, he said, encouraged them to make their own choices and pursue happiness over convention.
Mother’s Challenge That Changed His Course
During the conversation, Shah Rukh recalled how his mother had a strong belief in his scientific abilities and wanted him to continue in the field. Although he had studied science in school, he was keen on pursuing Economics for his higher education. When he expressed this desire, his mother encouraged him to first prove himself by taking the IIT entrance exam.
He shared, “When I was choosing my career, my mom said, ‘I would like you to go into sciences’. I said, ‘Okay, I can take an exam, but I would like to do economics because I had finished my sciences from school’. She said, ‘Oh, you want to shift over to economics, but can you do the IIT entrance? Can you do this engineering entrance?’ I said, ‘I can’, and she said, ‘Okay, just show it to me’. So I did it and I passed it. And then she said, ‘You don’t need to take it, you now go and do your economics’.”
Shah Rukh fulfilled her wish and proved his capability by cracking one of India’s toughest exams. His mother, impressed by his determination, allowed him to follow his passion instead of forcing him into engineering.
Academic Journey Before Films
After finishing school, Shah Rukh went on to study Economics at Hansraj College, Delhi University. Later, he pursued a degree in Mass Communication from Jamia Millia Islamia, which helped shape his creative instincts before he entered the entertainment industry. His academic background, especially in communication, became an asset as he transitioned into acting, where confidence and expression became his trademarks.
In the same BBC interview, Shah Rukh reflected on his upbringing, describing it as “liberal” and “free.” He said he and his elder sister were raised in an environment where they were never told what to do or what not to do. His parents, he said, encouraged them to make their own choices and pursue happiness over convention.
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