Shah Rukh Khan quits smoking after 30 years, says, “I am no role model”

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan recently celebrated his 59th birthday with a big revelation: after smoking for 30 years, he’s finally kicked the habit. Known for his charming candor, SRK shared this news at a fan event on November 2, where he also reminded his fans not to treat him as a role model for quitting smoking. The event, filled with cheering fans, took an introspective turn as the actor opened up about his journey with smoking and the challenges of quitting after decades of addiction.

In response to fans declaring they’d follow his example, SRK replied, “Jab jab zindagi me jaisa accha lage woh karo... Main koi aisa role model nahi hoon” (Do what feels right in life… I am not a role model). He emphasized the struggle he faced in giving up cigarettes, joking that even after quitting, he still occasionally felt breathless, hinting at the long-term impact of his smoking habit.

Shah Rukh’s journey with smoking has been publicly acknowledged before. In a candid interview back in 2011, he admitted to a high-intensity lifestyle fueled by cigarettes and coffee. “I smoke about 100 cigarettes a day. I forget to eat. I don’t drink water. I have about 30 cups of black coffee and I have a six-pack," he said back then. Now, after years of battling the addiction, he’s taken the step to quit, though he feels it would be hypocritical to preach to others about it.

During the event, SRK gave his fans some encouraging words on the importance of self-belief and persistence. He recalled his humble beginnings, sharing, "I come from a lower middle-class family. My education has been useful in my life. You have to believe that it doesn’t matter from where you begin your journey; if you keep working hard, keep reading, keep dreaming, your end will be beautiful.” His message resonated with many fans, who expressed admiration for his journey from a modest background to one of India’s most celebrated actors.

In his signature light-hearted style, Shah Rukh shared a humorous note about his expectations after quitting smoking. “Mujhe laga tha ki I will not feel so breathless, but abhi bhi feel raha hun (I thought I wouldn’t feel breathless after quitting smoking, but I still do). Inshallah, woh bhi theek ho jayega (By God’s grace, that will also be fine).” This down-to-earth approach has made him even more relatable to fans, who celebrated his achievement while acknowledging the challenges of making such a drastic lifestyle change.

As SRK steps into a new, healthier phase of his life, fans are eager to see him continue inspiring them through his words and actions. Professionally, Shah Rukh Khan is set to return to the big screen in Sujoy Ghosh’s next film, King, though an official announcement is yet to come. His openness about his health and journey serves as a reminder to fans that life’s challenges, whether in health or career, can be tackled with a combination of humor, resilience, and self-acceptance.