Shah Rukh Khan reportedly changed his name to 'Jitendra Kumar Tulli' to win over Gauri Khan's family and gain their approval for marriage due to religious differences, TV9 Bangla has revealed. The Bollywood superstar took this extraordinary step during the early 1990s when his relationship with Gauri, from a Hindu background, faced strong opposition from her family.
According to TV9 Bangla’s coverage of Mushtaq Sheikh’s book Shah Rukh Can, Shah Rukh adopted the name by honoring two veteran actors, Jitendra and Rajendra Kumar, the latter’s real name being Rajendra Kumar Tulli. This name change was part of his effort to convince Gauri's family that he was acceptable, especially since the couple came from different religious communities.
Their wedding itself was a unique blend of both Hindu and Muslim traditions, with ceremonies honoring both religions. Shah Rukh legally took a Hindu name during the marriage registration, and Gauri adopted the Muslim name 'Ayesha' during the nikah ceremony. Shah Rukh admitted in the book, "We never really disclosed this secret to many people."
At the time of their marriage on October 25, 1991, Gauri was only 21 and Shah Rukh 26. He was just beginning his film career, which added to her parents' reservations. To further ease their concerns, he also used the name 'Abhinav' to emphasize his Hindu roots.
Years later, Gauri Khan described this decision as "foolish and childish" during an interview with fashion designers Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla on their talk show First Ladies. She explained, "We were very young and were marrying someone from a different religion who was just starting in films. We changed Shah Rukh’s name to Abhinav to convince my family he was a Hindu boy. Honestly, it was a very silly and immature thing to do."
Despite initial obstacles, Shah Rukh and Gauri have now been married for over 30 years, raising three children—Aryan, Suhana, and Abram—together. They have successfully embraced both religions in their family life.
Why this matters
This story highlights the societal challenges faced by interfaith couples, especially in India’s traditional context. Shah Rukh and Gauri’s approach to honoring both religions in their marriage and family life reflects evolving attitudes toward religious harmony and cultural integration. Their openness about these early struggles offers hope and perspective on overcoming prejudice.
Today, the couple’s children celebrate both Hindu and Muslim festivals with equal joy, embodying the unity their parents modeled. This blend of faiths within a prominent family sets an example in the entertainment industry and beyond.
In conclusion, Shah Rukh Khan’s name change was a symbolic gesture during a difficult phase, but the enduring love and respect between him and Gauri have transcended religious boundaries, making their relationship a celebrated success story in Bollywood.
