'Bachpane ki himaqat, badtameezi, ghatiyapan tha mera,' said Shah Rukh Khan as he opened up on dropping out of Jamia Millia university due to his ego

Shah Rukh Khan may be one of the most successful and celebrated actors in Indian cinema, but even the ‘King of Bollywood’ has a few regrets tucked away in his journey. A recent video that resurfaced on social media shows SRK candidly recalling how he dropped out of Jamia Millia Islamia University in Delhi — a decision he now calls the “foolishness of childhood.”

In an old interview with NDTV during the promotions of Don 2, Shah Rukh opened up about the time his early television career clashed with his studies. He had just begun shooting for his debut TV show Fauji when managing attendance at Jamia became nearly impossible.


But the balancing act didn’t last long. A few days before his written exam, an exchange with his principal changed everything. “Kyunki main Fauji shuru kar chuka tha, thodi attendance mein takleef thi joh aaj bhi meri film ki shooting mein rehta hai ke attendance ki takleef hoti hai. Ab woh Principal sahab nahi rahe hai. Main apna written exam de raha tha, practical de chuka tha (I had started working in a television serial, Fauji, I had some trouble in attendance, which still remains in my film shooting, that I have some trouble in attendance. And, I was giving my written exam. I had done my practicals for the second year. I was studying in the library. The exam was on Monday. And, I was studying on Saturday. And, my principal came and said, You know, if I had it in my hands, I would not let you take this exam),” Shah Rukh recalled.

Reacting impulsively, a young SRK decided to walk away. “Yeh bachpane ki himaaqat, badtameezi aur ghatiyapan ha mera. Main library mein tha aur he came to me and said, "If I had it in my hand then I wouldn't let you take this exam'. Aur main badtameez, I said, 'I also wouldn't want to give this exam.' (I was ill-mannered. I also would not like to give this exam. And, I walked off. Then, my mom took me to his house. And, I apologised to him because my mother had taken me like this. She said, apologise to him, so, I went and said sorry and all. And, he said, No, I was just saying it),” he continued.

Looking back, he calls that moment one of immaturity. "Then I apologised to him as my mother took me to his house holding my ears and told me to apologise. So, he said, 'No I was just saying but you don't have to be so egoistic about it'. Monday ko exam tha aur sunday ho chuka tha, maine padhaai bhi nahi kari thi so I told my mother, 'ab main nahi jaunga. Ab yahan padhaane jaunga.' (The exam was on Monday and I had not even studied, it was already Sunday. So, I told my mother, I will not go back. Now I will go to this college to teach, not study)."

Years later, Shah Rukh confessed that he still regrets that decision. “I wish I had the degree. I really miss it. I would tell everyone that please do not leave your studies ever, because if I had studied, believe me, I would be such a big superstar,” he said with a hint of nostalgia and humour — the trademark blend that defines him even today.

On the work front, SRK is all set to return with his much-anticipated film King, co-starring his daughter Suhana Khan. Slated for a 2026 release, the action thriller marks his first project since his blockbuster year in 2023 with Pathaan, Jawan, and Dunki. The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast including Jaideep Ahlawat, Arshad Warsi, Saurabh Shukla, Jackie Shroff, Abhishek Bachchan, Abhay Verma, and Raghav Juyal, with special appearances by Deepika Padukone, Rani Mukerji.

As per reports, the makers are set to drop an announcement video of 'King' on Shah Rukh Khan's birthday this year on November 1.





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