Before becoming one of Bollywood’s most celebrated couples, Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan faced several challenges on their journey to marriage. Their interfaith relationship, coupled with Shah Rukh’s aspirations of building a career in the film industry, reportedly made winning over Gauri’s family far from easy.
A lesser-known chapter from their love story has resurfaced, revealing that Shah Rukh briefly adopted the name “Abhinav” in an attempt to gain Gauri’s parents’ trust. The anecdote, documented in Mushtaq Sheikh’s book Shah Rukh Can, offers a glimpse into the lengths the young actor went to while trying to convince the family to accept their relationship.
According to the book, Gauri’s parents were initially hesitant because Shah Rukh came from a different religious background and had chosen to pursue acting—a profession that was often viewed with uncertainty at the time. Hoping to ease those concerns, he introduced himself as “Abhinav,” presenting himself as a Hindu boy during the early stages of their courtship.
Interestingly, this was not the only alias Shah Rukh reportedly used. The book also claims that he once went by the name “Jeetender Kumar Tulli,” inspired by veteran Bollywood stars Jeetendra and Rajendra Kumar. These attempts reflected the young couple’s determination to overcome the social and familial obstacles standing in the way of their relationship.
Years later, Gauri Khan looked back on those incidents with honesty and humor during her appearance on First Ladiesalongside designers Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla. Reflecting on the decision to use the name “Abhinav,” she admitted that it now feels “silly and very childish.”
Gauri explained that both of them were quite young at the time she was 21 while Shah Rukh was 26 and were simply trying to navigate a complicated situation. With the benefit of hindsight, she acknowledged that the decision may not have been the most mature, but it stemmed from their desire to keep their relationship alive despite the resistance they faced.
The couple eventually overcame those initial hurdles and tied the knot on October 25, 1991. Respecting each other’s faith and traditions, they celebrated both Hindu and Muslim wedding ceremonies. During the nikah, Gauri adopted the name “Ayesha,” while the couple also participated in traditional Hindu wedding rituals, symbolizing their commitment to embracing both cultures.
More than three decades later, that spirit of mutual respect continues to define the Khan household. Shah Rukh and Gauri have consistently spoken about raising their children Aryan, Suhana, and AbRam in an environment where both religions and traditions are celebrated equally.
Gauri has shared that she leads the Diwali pooja, while Shah Rukh takes charge of Eid celebrations. Their children have grown up celebrating festivals from both faiths, creating a home where diversity is embraced rather than divided. For the family, every celebration is an opportunity to come together, irrespective of religious identity.
Today, Shah Rukh and Gauri Khan’s journey stands as one of Bollywood’s most enduring love stories. What began with youthful attempts to overcome societal barriers has evolved into a marriage built on trust, acceptance, and cultural harmony, inspiring generations of fans across the world.