Shahrukh Khan

Khan began his career appearing in several television series in the late 1980s [AFP]

He calls himself a “rank outsider” of the Indian film industry and with nothing to lose says he was able to take chances.

Shahrukh Khan’s risk-taking in his choice of roles got him noticed first as a TV actor and then in movies and he has become one of India’s most successful actors of all time, recognised internationally for his performances.

Known as “King Khan” or S-R-K to his fans he is a master of action and has produced more than 60 films – a prolific record even by Bollywood standards.

Acting was not a path he had planned and he only turned to it when his hopes of becoming a hockey player were ended by injury.

Born to Muslim parents in New Delhi, Khan gained an honours degree in economics and began a masters in mass communication.

After the death of his parents he travelled to Mumbai, the centre of India’s film industry.

Thinking he would try out acting for a short while, he told friends he would return home after a year, but after nearly two decades and with dozens of hit movies under his belt, they are still waiting.

This episode of One on One airs from Saturday, March 6, 2010 at the following times GMT: Saturday: 0300, 1630; Sunday: 0430, 2330; Monday: 0300, 1230.