Shah Rukh's Eid wish

Shah Rukh Khan celebrated Eid in a unique manner this year; since he wanted his kids to know about his culture, he stayed at home and spent quality time with them. He also invited the media home to share his Eid plans and talk about his song Chammak Challo from Ra.One.

Talking about Eid, Shah Rukh said, "I have been working all night doing the final post production work for Ra One. I came home in the morning and said namaz and did another namaz with my children. My kids have grown up, so I want them to know about my culture too. We celebrate lots of festivals at home like Diwali and Christmas and we also have parties. I feel they should know Eid is important too."

Shah Rukh has definite ideas about how he wants to celebrate Eid. "I would like to celebrate Eid in the manner my parents celebrated it with me, with the same decor and tehzeeb (culture), even though we celebrated at a very small scale. I think my kids have grown up now and can understand what Eid is. Earlier, when I would ask them to join me at the Eid party, they would just play. Hopefully, now, they will also wear a kurta pajama."

He recalled the Eid celebrations from his childhood. 'When I was a kid, I would go to the Eidgah (open air mosque) in Delhi and offer namaz. It is unfortunate that, ever since I have come to Mumbai, I have not been able to go to the Eidgah. I offer namaz at home with my friends and the people who work at my home."

He spoke about his most memorable Eid. "My most memorable Eid celebration is when I offered a namaz at Farfara, Egypt. There was no one around; we were surrounded by 100 kilometres of desert. It was very hot and 50 of us were there, shooting the song Suraj Hua Madham from Kabhi Kushi Kabhie Gham."

Shah Rukh also remembered his father. "When I was little, my father use to take me on a two wheeler for namaz. Most of the time, it would so happen that our chappals would get stolen or go missing. We would go to the Eidgah in South Delhi. That memory is very special because my father would to take me."

He added, "It is my wish to take my son, like my father took me, for namaz on Eid. As I am getting older I am getting emotional about all these things."

What gifts has he has given his kids this Eid? "I haven't given any Eidi (gifts given on Eid) to my kids yet. I was very busy the last few days and I am also working nights. I will probably give them Rs 11 each," laughs King Khan.