Shah Rukh Khan reigns even beyond Bollywood; check out the superstar’s global influence from Berlin to Dubai

Shah Rukh Khan is celebrating his 60th birthday

When Shah Rukh Khan entered the international arena, he didn’t just travel for premieres, but he arrived as a phenomenon. From Berlin’s film festival queues to the towering lights of Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, SRK has reshaped the image of Indian cinema and male stardom across the world.

Berlin

In 2012, during the premiere of his film Don 2 at the 62nd Berlin International Film Festival, SRK made headlines not just for his film but for the scale of fan devotion. Indian director Anurag Kashyap recalled seeing fans queue for Shah Rukh even ahead of Hollywood heavyweights. “Line lagi thi Shah Rukh Khan ke liye,” he noted.

Germany’s embrace of Shah Rukh challenged traditional assumptions. Bollywood was no longer a niche; it was global. His charisma, emotional intensity and universal themes of his films like love, identity, longing, resonated across cultures. As one report stated, “In Germany (there is) a large fan base for a few Indian stars, Shah Rukh Khan being the most recognised and followed.”

Berlin became a symbol of SRK’s cross-continental power, proving Indian mainstream cinema could generate buzz abroad not just in diaspora pockets but in the heart of Europe.

Dubai and the Middle East

There are celebrity tributes, and then there is what happened in Dubai. On November 2, 2021 and again in subsequent years, Dubai’s iconic Burj Khalifa was illuminated with images and messages of Shah Rukh Khan. “Happy Birthday SRK” and “We Love You” were visible across the night skyline.

The gesture speaks volumes. A star’s image projected onto the world’s tallest building is more than celebration. It’s reverence and brand elevation merged. The Burj Khalifa tribute followed SRK’s role as a brand ambassador in the UAE and amplified his pan-regio­n appeal.

In October 2025, ahead of his 60th birthday, Dubai announced a film festival dedicated to SRK’s legacy across cinemas in the UAE.

From Indian cinemas to global OTT

While physical tributes and festivals mark visible fandom, the digital age has expanded SRK’s global reach. Collaborations with streaming platforms, online premieres and curated fan events have turned Indian movie nights into global viewing parties. A 2025 interview highlighted how SRK now considers not just local theatres but global streaming and cultural moments. This extends his stardom from theaters in Bandra to living rooms in Berlin, Dubai and beyond, making him a “memory from home” for overseas Indian communities and a discovery for new global audiences.

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Changing the face of male Indian stardom

SRK’s global ascend isn’t just about one actor. It signals a broader shift in Indian cinema’s global identity. No longer must that star fit a narrow local mold; he can be global, layered, multi-platform, and still deeply rooted.