King Khan turns 46 today

"Was so touched when I reached home from bathing...sooo many people waiting outside the house and sang happy birthday for me. Had tears in my eyes. Going to sleep now...this birthday will celebrate with a well deserved many hours of sleep...thanx for ur wishes. Don`t feel older or wiser..,? Shahrukh wrote on micro blogging site twiter.

"When I was a kid...I used to tie a towel on my neck? wear my sister?s tights and my red swimming trunks on top, eye mask and wanted to fly. I loved comic superheroes and films like `Teesri Akan`, `Paras Mani`. I always had this desire to do superhero films," Shahrukh had said.

However, at one point of time, Shahrukh also felt he was too old to play a superhero on screen. "I think, may be I am too old to play a superhero, but I still gave it a shot. And I am happy that we have pulled it off well," Shahrukh said.

Having started off his career with `Fauji` a television serial, Shahrukh`s rise to fame has been extraordinary. The `Badshah of Bollywood` or the King Khan`, as Shahrukh is endearingly called, has played a range of characters in his career. Even though, Shahrukh dared to play negative characters in the beginning of his career in films like `Baazigar` and `Darr`, he is most-loved by the audience as a romantic hero.

His image as a romantic hero was established through box-office hits like `Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge`, `Kuch Kuch Hota Hai`, `Yes Boss` and `Dil To Pagal Hai`. Some other films that reinforced this image included `Mohabbatein`, `Kal Ho Naa Ho`, `Pardes`, `Veer Zara` and `Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi`, among others.

Shahrukh Khan has also essayed more meaningful and memorable roles in films like `Swades`, `Chak De India` and `Paheli`. But, even though the actor had started off his career with television, he has not been able repeat his big-screen success on the small screen.

This year, Shahrukh hosted `Zor Ka Jhatka: Total Wipeout` a reality game show, based on the popular American television show `Wipeout`. In 2007, he had also hosted the third series of the popular television show `Kuan Banega Crorepati`. He also hosted `Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain?` in 2008.

The actor has a long list of injuries and bruises. In 2011, Shahrukh hurt his knee for the third time while shooting for ?Ra.One?. The actor suffered a knee injury this and due to which he was unable to perform at Indian International Film Awards (IIFA) awards in Toronto. He also hurt his leg after it got stuck in a puddle. "I have performed almost 75 to 80 per cent of the stunts on my own for `Ra.One`. It was very difficult at times," Shahrukh had said.