When Gauri changed Shah Rukh’s name to Abhinav for Hindu parents’ acceptance

In a throwback interview, the producer opened up about her parents not being in favour of her marriage to King Khan

Bollywood power couple Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan have been married for over 30 years, but things weren't always easy for them. In a viral 2008 interview on the show First Ladies, Gauri revealed that her parents were not initially in favor of her decision to marry Shah Rukh.

At the time of their marriage, Gauri was only 21 years old and Shah Rukh was 26. The fact that he was joining the film industry and came from a different religion added to her parents' concerns. To ease their worries, they even changed Shah Rukh's name to Abhinav so her parents could feel that he was Hindu. Looking back, Gauri called the move "silly and very childish."

“We were so young and then to take a decision to get married and to a person who is going to join films, and being from a different religion,” said the renowned interior designer. “We changed his name to Abhinav so they feel he is a Hindu boy but that was really silly and very childish,” 

Despite the initial resistance from her parents, Gauri and Shah Rukh went ahead with the marriage and have since built a life together. They have three children together - Aryan, Suhana and AbRam. In the same interview, Gauri spoke about how their children celebrate both Hindu and Muslim festivals and how it is all "fantastic" for them.

“When it’s Diwali, I lead the pooja (prayer) and the family follows and on Eid, Shah Rukh leads, and we follow. I think it’s all very beautiful and the kids accept. In fact, my children are more inclined towards whatever Shah Rukh would say. For them, Diwali, Eid, all are fantastic,” stated Gauri.

Shah Rukh himself has also talked about his children's religious identity, saying in 2013, as quoted by The Indian Express, "You are an Indian first and your religion is humanity." He also sang an old Hindi film song, the lyrics of which essentially stress the importance of being a good human, as opposed to following a faith. 

“It will also keep my two children completely confused,” stated the Pathaan star. “Sometimes, they ask me what religion they belong to and, like a good Hindi movie hero, I roll my eyes up to the sky and declare philosophically, ‘You are an Indian first and your religion is humanity”, or sing them an old Hindi film ditty, ‘Tu Hindu banega na Musalmaan banega – insaan ki aulaad hai insaan banega’ (You will be neither Hindu nor Muslim, you have been birthed by a human, and you will be humane) set to Gangnam Style.”

Despite the initial challenges they faced, Shah Rukh and Gauri Khan's marriage has stood the test of time and has become an inspiration to many in the industry.

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