Congress MP and celebrated orator Shashi Tharoor, known for his wit and literary flair, turned Shah Rukh Khan’s 60th birthday into a lighthearted moment of wordplay and humor on social media. As wishes poured in from across the world for the Bollywood superstar, Tharoor took to X (formerly Twitter) not just to extend his greetings, but also to cast a mock “suspicion” on the actor’s officially declared age. With characteristic wit, Tharoor claimed that the “official story” of Khan turning 60 seemed “deeply suspicious” — and even hinted at a “cover-up” worthy of a cinematic conspiracy.
“Happy 60th Birthday to the ultimate King of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan!” Tharoor began his post, before adding with tongue-in-cheek skepticism, “I have to admit, I’m finding this ‘60’ number deeply suspicious.” According to the Congress leader, a “crack team of independent fact-checkers and forensic detectives” had been deployed to verify the claim that Shah Rukh Khan was indeed turning 60 — and the results, he joked, were inconclusive.
“In the complete and absolute absence of any discernible visual evidence — specifically, no non-photoshopped grey hair, no undeniable signs of slowing down, and a persistent appearance of someone significantly younger — the claim that Shah Rukh Khan is turning 60 cannot be factually confirmed,” Tharoor quipped.
The comment quickly went viral, garnering laughter, admiration, and applause from fans who appreciated Tharoor’s flair for turning even a birthday wish into an elegantly crafted piece of satire. His post, playful yet poetic, fit perfectly with the celebratory mood that engulfed social media, where #HappyBirthdaySRK trended globally as fans shared pictures, tributes, and memories from the actor’s three-decade-long career.
But Tharoor didn’t stop there. Leaning into the joke, he said he suspected that the official narrative around Khan’s age was, in fact, part of something bigger. “I suspect the official story is a cover-up,” he wrote, “and that SRK is actually starring in a real-life, decades-long, global-scale Bollywood adaptation of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” Referring to the 2008 Hollywood film about a man who ages in reverse, Tharoor suggested that Shah Rukh Khan might just be living out a similar phenomenon — becoming younger with each passing year.
This “Benjamin Button” analogy instantly struck a chord with fans, many of whom have long marveled at Khan’s seemingly ageless appearance and relentless energy. Over the years, the superstar’s charisma, fitness, and screen presence have often led admirers to comment that he looks far younger than his age. Tharoor’s humorous “cover-up theory” was a witty reflection of that sentiment — one that resonated widely among both SRK’s fanbase and Tharoor’s own followers.
The Congress leader then presented what he called the “evidence” supporting his mock investigation. “Look at the evidence,” Tharoor wrote, outlining three key points with the precision of a detective and the rhythm of a novelist. “1. His energy levels today seem higher than they were 20 years ago. 2. His hairstyle has become progressively more youthful. 3. There are no wrinkles a decent lighting crew can’t explain away.”
Each line added to the comic narrative, blending admiration with humor. Tharoor, known for his polished English and sharp turn of phrase, once again demonstrated his ability to engage audiences with wit while keeping the tone affectionate and celebratory.
Not stopping at just the mock analysis, Tharoor playfully speculated about the actor’s future. “I predict that by his 70th birthday, he’ll be auditioning for teenage roles,” he joked, before adding, “I don’t expect to be around when he reverts to a child actor.” The Kerala MP would be 79 when Khan turns 70, he noted, humorously acknowledging the passage of time while suggesting that Shah Rukh’s apparent defiance of aging might just continue indefinitely.
Tharoor concluded his birthday post with a warm and sincere note, congratulating the actor on what he described as an “unbelievable milestone.” “Keep defying physics and biology for years to come,” he urged, encapsulating the admiration millions hold for Khan, who remains one of India’s most beloved cultural icons.
The post exemplified Tharoor’s unique brand of political and cultural commentary — intellectual, humorous, and elegantly phrased. His tribute stood out in a sea of celebrity wishes, offering both levity and literary charm. For fans of both Tharoor and Khan, it was the perfect blend of intellect and pop culture.
The exchange also highlighted a recurring theme in Tharoor’s online persona — his readiness to engage with cultural phenomena and the arts with as much enthusiasm as he brings to political discourse. Over the years, Tharoor has often commented on cinema, literature, and public life with a mix of eloquence and humor that has earned him a devoted following on social media.
In fact, just a week earlier, Tharoor had lavished praise on Shah Rukh Khan’s son, Aryan Khan, for his debut web series, The Ba**ds of Bollywood. Writing on X, he said he was at a “loss for words” after watching the show, describing it as “absolute OTT gold.” In that post, Tharoor shared that he had been recovering from a bout of cold and cough, and on the advice of his staff and sister Smita Tharoor, had decided to unwind by watching the Netflix India series. “It’s one of the best things I have ever treated myself to,” he wrote, calling Aryan Khan’s creation a sign of “fresh and fearless storytelling” in Indian entertainment.
This earlier appreciation added context to Tharoor’s birthday message for Shah Rukh Khan — a blend of genuine admiration for the actor and a continuation of his playful engagement with Bollywood’s biggest names. Tharoor’s fondness for cinema is well-known; he has often spoken about films and pop culture in interviews, seeing them as reflections of India’s evolving society. His words for Shah Rukh Khan thus carried both humor and a deeper recognition of Khan’s cultural impact.
For Shah Rukh Khan, who turned 60 on November 2, the occasion was marked by an outpouring of love from fans, celebrities, and public figures around the world. Known as the “King of Bollywood,” Khan’s career spans over three decades, with iconic performances in films like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Chak De! India, My Name Is Khan, Pathaan, and Jawan. Even at 60, his recent box office successes and continuing dominance in popular culture have cemented his reputation as one of the most enduring and influential figures in Indian cinema.
In this context, Tharoor’s humorous “investigation” into Khan’s age became more than just a witty remark — it was a tribute to the actor’s timelessness. By turning a birthday wish into a mini-mystery filled with literary flair and comic logic, Tharoor captured what millions of fans feel: that Shah Rukh Khan, despite the passing years, remains perpetually young in spirit, style, and screen presence.
Ultimately, the post reflected the intersection of admiration and amusement that defines Tharoor’s online persona — and the unique place Shah Rukh Khan holds in India’s collective imagination. Whether it was a clever “cover-up” or just good genetics and charisma, one thing was clear: at 60, Shah Rukh Khan continues to defy expectations, while admirers like Shashi Tharoor continue to find new ways to celebrate the man who refuses to age, both on and off the screen.
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