Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is set to visit Mangaluru on June 25 to participate in “An Evening with Shah Rukh Khan”, a special event organised by Rohan Corporation, one of the leading real estate companies in the coastal region.
According to a statement issued by the company, the event will be held at Adyar Garden, with entry commencing at 4 pm. The programme is expected to bring together business leaders, public representatives, dignitaries from various fields and invited guests who have registered in advance.
While Shah Rukh Khan is celebrated worldwide for his contributions to Indian cinema, few may be aware of his deep-rooted connection with Mangaluru. Over the years, the actor has spoken on several occasions about his childhood association with the coastal city, even describing himself as “a son of Mangaluru”.
The actor has revealed in past interviews that he spent the first five years of his life in Mangaluru under the care of his maternal grandmother. According to Shah Rukh, his grandmother, who had no sons of her own, adopted him and raised him during his early childhood.
“I have a connection with Karnataka. I grew up in Mangaluru. My grandmother adopted me there and raised me during my childhood,” Shah Rukh had said during an earlier interaction.
He has also recalled that many of his earliest childhood photographs were taken in Mangaluru, where he spent his formative years before returning to Delhi with his family.
The family’s association with Mangaluru dates back to Shah Rukh Khan’s maternal grandfather, Iftikhar Ahmed, who worked as an engineer at Mangaluru Port during the 1960s. The family lived in the city during that period, resulting in the future Bollywood star spending his earliest years on the coast.
Born in New Delhi on November 2, 1965, Shah Rukh Khan spent roughly the first five years of his life in Mangaluru before moving back to the national capital. More than five decades later, his visit is expected to rekindle memories of a city that occupies a unique place in his personal history.
Shah Rukh has also spoken about his connection with Bengaluru. During previous visits to Karnataka’s capital, he recalled childhood memories linked to areas such as Nandidurga Road, Jayamahal Extension and Palace Road.
When asked why he never learned Kannada despite his family’s ties to Karnataka, the actor explained that he returned to Delhi at a young age and therefore had little opportunity to learn the language. He has, however, noted that his mother spoke Kannada fluently.
In another anecdote shared with fans, Shah Rukh revealed that the first photograph he sent to Mumbai while pursuing his dream of entering the film industry was taken in Bengaluru.
His upcoming appearance in Mangaluru has generated considerable excitement among fans across Dakshina Kannada and neighbouring districts, given the actor’s longstanding emotional and family connection with the coastal region.