<p>Shah Rukh Khan is a commerce graduate with a degree in economics but landed in Bollywood. The heartthrob of millions across the globe, i.e., King Khan, aka Shahrukh Khan. He was a student of Hansraj College. He also did a master’s degree in mass communications at Jamia Millia Islamia but had to quit halfway to pursue his acting career in TV and Bollywood. Besides academics, SRK is also a student of Delhi’s Theatre Action Group (TAG) and has learned the nuances of acting from theatre guru Barry John.
Khan also attended the prestigious NDA (National School of Drama) in Delhi, which has produced marvelous actors like Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, Irrfan Khan, Anupam Kher, etc., but alas, his father’s untimely death due to cancer forced him to drop out from NDA and look after his family. Nevertheless, Khan followed his passion and, from minor roles in TV serials, rose to become a superstar of Indian cinema.
Economics to Blockbusters: The Shah Rukh Khan Story
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Dashing, debonair action hero John Abraham, before taking up modeling and films as a career, was a studious student. He qualified with a B.A. (Hons) in Economics from Mumbai’s Jai Hind College and got his MBA from Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai. Later he did a Master of Management Studies (M.M.S.) program, a 2-year full-time postgraduate program from Mumbai Educational Trust (MET). While studying, he was interested in sports, but modeling and films were not on his mind. But while learning taekwondo under the guidance of Master Javed Khan, John got an opportunity to substitute a modeling assignment as the chief model failed to reach the shoot. In urgency, the makers asked John to do a short appearance. Fortunately, the advertising campaign was a huge success, and John got a ticket into the modeling world and soon into films.
The Economics Grad Who Became a Bollywood King
The other commerce graduate who did a bachelor’s in economics from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University, and became a chartered accountant but quit his lucrative CA job in England for his passion for cinema is Shekhar Kapur. Yes, the same actor-cum-film director who later made cult classic films like Masoom (1983), Mr. India (1987), and Bandit Queen (1994). Of course, Shekhar Kapur also brought laurels to India by making a name in Hollywood by directing Hollywood hit films like Elizabeth (1998) and Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007), etc.
A few other commerce graduates who opted for Bollywood instead of doing business include present-day sensation Varun Dhawan, who did business management at the Nottingham Trent University, United Kingdom. However, after a successful acting debut with Karan Johar‘s romantic comedy, Student Of The Year, he has become a star. Further hit films like Badlapur, Main Tera Hero, and Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania have consolidated his position in Bollywood.
The other big star of Bollywood, Ranveer Singh, has done dual graduation. After graduating from H.R. College of Commerce and Economics, he gained his Bachelor of Arts degree from Indiana University, Bloomington, and has worked as a copywriter with O&M and JWT. Later he was noticed by Aditya Chopra, and the rest is history.
Besides, Bollywood’s two most macho heroes, Arjun Rampal and Sunny Deol, are also commerce graduates. Arjun Rampal completed his bachelor’s in economics from Hindu College, and Sunny Deol did commerce and economics at Mumbai’s premium R.A. Poddar College.
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