Shah Rukh Khan, the "King of Bollywood," was a star even in his school days, according to his schoolmate Rahul Dev. Before Shah Rukh Khan became a global superstar, he was a typical Delhi boy who attended St. Columba's School in New Delhi. Rahul Dev, an actor and model, was Shah Rukh Khan's junior at St. Columba's School. In an interview with SCREEN, Rahul Dev reflected on his memories with SRK and what he was like during his teenage years.
Rahul Dev recalled that he and Shah Rukh Khan would often meet during cricket practice or matches for St. Columba's. When asked about Shah Rukh Khan's school days, Rahul Dev revealed that SRK was brilliant at everything. "He was always a star. I mean it. He was brilliant at academics," Rahul Dev said. He also excelled in sports, representing the school in football, cricket, and hockey. Furthermore, he was fantastic in gymnastics and a great sprinter. Rahul Dev stated that Shah Rukh Khan was a "graced child" and the "definition of cool".
Rahul Dev also recalled the year when Shah Rukh Khan received the prestigious Sword of Honour, an award given to the best all-round student. Besides sports and academics, Shah Rukh Khan was also a prominent member of the school's dramatics team. "Whenever there would be a play or school function, he would play the main part in every skit," Rahul Dev said. "Maybe he was always an actor. But honestly, he could have been anybody – a scientist, an athlete, anyone, he was good at everything". Rahul Dev also told Mamaraazi that SRK could have been a scientist if he wanted to.
Rahul Dev noted that St. Columba's School produced incredible talent, and many of his schoolmates hold high positions in their respective fields. He added, "I don't find it surprising that SRK has become a superstar. There will be no Shah Rukh Khan in the next 1000 years". Rahul Dev and Shah Rukh Khan acted together in the 2001 film Asoka.
Another schoolmate, singer Palash Sen, recalled that Shah Rukh Khan excelled in cricket, hockey, dramatics, and debating. Sen believed that SRK would pursue something even greater than movies because of his intelligence and oratory skills.
On the work front, Rahul Dev was recently seen in the Tamil film Good Bad Ugly, with Ajith Kumar. Shah Rukh Khan is currently filming for Siddharth Anand's King, which will also mark his daughter Suhana Khan's theatrical debut, with the movie set to release in 2026.
