Shah Rukh Khan turns 61: Salman Khan's birthday wish and the 'King' song reveal
Synopsis
Salman Khan kicked off Shah Rukh Khan's 61st birthday by dropping the first song from 'King' on Instagram — and SRK's response stole the show, crediting Salman's advice as the reason he worked on his shirtless physique. The bromance, the new song featuring Arijit Singh and Ed Sheeran, and a security-conscious fan appearance at Mannat made this one of Bollywood's biggest birthday moments of the year.
Key Takeaways
Shah Rukh Khan celebrated his 61st birthday on 3 November 2026 .
Salman Khan shared a birthday message on Instagram Stories alongside the first song from 'King' .
SRK replied that he worked on his shirtless physique because Salman complimented it.
The birthday song 'Tu Mil Jaaye' from 'King' features vocals by Arijit Singh and a rap by Ed Sheeran .
Shah Rukh Khan greeted fans at Mannat but stood farther from the crowd than usual, reportedly due to heightened security concerns in Mumbai .
Bollywood stars Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan ignited a wave of nostalgia on Monday, 3 November 2026, as the two superstars exchanged warm birthday messages that sent fans back to the golden era of 90s Bollywood bromance. Shah Rukh Khan turned 61, and the celebrations — spanning social media, a new song drop, and a fan greeting outside Mannat in Bandra, Mumbai — set the internet ablaze.
Salman Khan's birthday message
Salman Khan took to the Stories section of his Instagram to share a heartfelt note for his longtime friend. He chose the occasion to unveil the first song from Shah Rukh Khan's upcoming film 'King', writing, 'Happy Birthday Shahrukh hamesha jawaan raho The King, yeh meri dua hai (I wish you stay young forever, The King) @iamsrk.'
SRK's playful reply — and the shirtless credit
Shah Rukh Khan re-shared Salman's message on his own Stories and responded with characteristic humour: 'Aapne kaha Bina shirt ke acchhi body hai sirf isse liye mehnat ki (I did the hard work because you said that the shirtless body looks good). Love u bhai always.' The exchange, equal parts affection and wit, quickly went viral as fans celebrated the enduring camaraderie between two of Hindi cinema's biggest stars.
Fans at Mannat — with one notable difference
Shah Rukh Khan greeted fans outside his iconic Bandra bungalow Mannat, dressed in a white t-shirt paired with denims, and struck his signature arms-stretched pose to soak in the crowd's adulation. However, this year's greeting carried a subtle shift: the actor stood noticeably farther from the crowd than in previous years. Observers noted this was in keeping with heightened security concerns in Mumbai, as gun attacks targeting high-profile individuals have reportedly become more frequent in the city.
'Tu Mil Jaaye' — the birthday song drop
Marking the occasion with a musical gift, Shah Rukh Khan released the song 'Tu Mil Jaaye' from 'King' on his birthday. The track is sung by Arijit Singh and features a distinct rap segment by global pop star Ed Sheeran. The song also showcases the on-screen chemistry of Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone — and, true to Salman Khan's celebrated endorsement, a fully ripped, shirtless SRK. The film 'King' is among the most anticipated Hindi releases on the horizon, and the birthday song launch has only amplified expectations.
What's next for 'King'
With the first song now out and the birthday spotlight firmly on the project, 'King' is expected to ramp up its promotional campaign in the coming weeks. The pairing of Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone — who last shared screen space in 'Pathaan' — will be closely watched, as will Ed Sheeran's crossover appearance, which signals a growing international collaboration trend in mainstream Bollywood.
Point of View
But it is also savvy marketing — Salman's post doubled as the launch vehicle for 'King's first song, ensuring maximum reach on a day when every entertainment journalist was watching SRK's feeds. What the Mannat moment quietly signals, however, is more sobering: a Bollywood superstar adjusting his own public ritual because of security threats, a detail that mainstream coverage largely treated as a footnote. The 'Tu Mil Jaaye' song's Ed Sheeran collaboration is also worth watching — it reflects a broader Bollywood push to embed global names into Hindi film soundtracks to capture international streaming numbers, a strategy that 'Pathaan' and 'Jawan' both tested with varying success.
NationPress
3 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Salman Khan post for Shah Rukh Khan's 61st birthday?
Salman Khan shared a birthday message on his Instagram Stories along with the first song from Shah Rukh Khan's upcoming film 'King', writing 'Happy Birthday Shahrukh hamesha jawaan raho The King, yeh meri dua hai.' It was a dual gesture — a personal wish and a film promotion — that drew widespread attention.
What did Shah Rukh Khan say in reply to Salman Khan?
Shah Rukh Khan re-shared Salman's message and wrote that he worked hard on his shirtless physique because Salman had once told him the body looked good without a shirt. The playful response went viral and reinforced the duo's legendary friendship.
What is the first song from 'King' and who sings it?
The first song from 'King' is titled 'Tu Mil Jaaye', sung by Arijit Singh with a rap segment by Ed Sheeran. It was released on Shah Rukh Khan's 61st birthday on 3 November 2026 and features Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone.
Why did Shah Rukh Khan stand far from the crowd at Mannat this year?
Shah Rukh Khan stood noticeably farther from the crowd at Mannat compared to previous years, reportedly due to heightened security concerns in Mumbai following a rise in gun attacks targeting high-profile individuals in the city.
Who stars in Shah Rukh Khan's upcoming film 'King'?
'King' features Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone, reuniting the pair who last appeared together in 'Pathaan'. The film also incorporates a musical collaboration with global artist Ed Sheeran, making it one of the most anticipated Bollywood releases ahead.
