SRK:’Eid is like Diwali for me’

Years ago, a little boy in Delhi would stay up all night arranging
his new clothes, cleaning his shoes — eagerly awaiting Eid the next
day. Life was about dressing up, going for prayers and having
biryaniwith Abba and Ammi.




Eid has always been an integral part of growing up for Shah Rukh
Khanand the memories remain vivid. "As a kid, I was very excited about
Eid. I used to wear a kurta pyjama and go down to the idgaah with my
dad. There would be a little dinner at home or we would go to a
friend's house," he recalls. "Eid has always been like that — buying
new
clothes and excitement."



Years later, SRK lives a different life. He has shifted base to
Mumbai. And though his parents are no more, his life is enriched by
his wife Gauri and children, Aryan and Suhana, as well as by friends
like Karan Johar, Aziz Mirza, Juhi Chawla, Kajol and many more.
"Things are different now. I've stopped celebrating Eid the way I
used to after my parents' deaths," says Shah Rukh.



But he fulfils his desire by offering namaz in a mosque late at
night. "Even if I want to go to a idgaah, I cannot. People recognise
me. But I sometimes go for namaz late at night," he smiles.



Though he is not religious, he believes that his children should be
aware about their religion. "Now I realise that my children should
also know about my religion. So, I sort of tell them about it, and
they too celebrate, by buying new clothes and all that. And though
they are too young to understand the deeper meaning, they enjoy the
occasion."



Eid has become a very personal thing for SRK. "It's not like a
typical Muslim house, gearing up for the fest. My sister does gear
up, though, and we have friends coming over sometimes," he says. "We
do it our way. We celebrate it like Diwali. As much as we burst
crackers in Diwali, we do namaz at Eid. We must respect every
religion"