At 42, King Khan feels younger & stronger

And the reason for the change in view is too obvious for anyone following SRK's career – he turns 42 today. Despite remaining at the top for nearly a decade-and-a-half, barring Amitabh Bachchan, his charm and acumen has no parallel in the Hindi film industry today. No wonder then, like the legendary Big B, Shah Rukh too has become a phenomenon.

The actor, who's much-awaited and much-publicized 'Om Shanti Om' hit the screens on Friday, is least bothered about aging. Ask him about his age and the super star retorts that he has never felt stronger and more enthusiastic like now. He claims that he can even beat people half his age at their game. Hence, it is little surprising that SRK looks equally young as the dazzling model-turned-actor Deepika Padukone, who is his leading lady in the Farah Khan-directed 'Om Shanti Om'.

King Khan confesses that age to him is nothing more than a number and it doesn't matter if they add a few more grey strands. He is also not envious about the success of other stars in the industry and ever ready to share the honors with them.

According to Shah Rukh, the days of 'one-actor' industry is long over and now films sustain and flourish riding on the shoulders of a galaxy of stars. Speaking about competition, Shah Rukh openly applauds Akshay Kumar as the most viable and prolific actor around today.

On the eve of 'Om Shanti Om's release, Shah Rukh has been vigorously campaigning for the movie's success by pulling all stops out. In his bid to promote the film, King Khan has also gone shirt-less, a la Salman Khan. But then, he believes that the film has competition only from this year's biggest release so far 'Chuck De! India'. When reminded that 'Chuck De ' too had him in the lead role, Shah Rukh candidly says that he loves competition, whether it is from within or from outside.

Well then, even at 42 Shah Rukh, who landed in Mumbai in 1992 sans any godfather, has not lost an iota of energy or enthusiasm about the industry. He has numerous plans, including presenting a new film technology and establishing a film studio. However, both will have to wait for want of time and place. As he claims to be more energetic and younger at this age, we can only compare King Khan to a rich wine that matures with time!