Shah Rukh Khan changed his Hindu name Abinav to meet Gauri’s parents before marriage, changed her name to Ayesha on their ‘nikaah’ |

Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan are one of the most loved families of Bollywood. However, the relationship between the two religions faced controversy in its early days, and Gauri’s family was initially reluctant to accept the game. To ease their worries, the artist changed his name.According to Mushtaq Sheikh’s book ‘Shah Rukh Can’, the actor briefly assumed the name “Jeetender Kumar Tulli” before marrying Gauri. The first name was inspired by former actor Jeetendra, who Shah Rukh’s grandfather believed to resemble him, while “Tulli” was borrowed from former actor Rajendra Kumar’s full name, Rajendra Kumar Tulli.The book also reveals that the couple made a similar change during their wedding ceremony. While Shah Rukh used a Hindu name, Gauri took the Muslim name “Ayesha” for their nikah. Recalling the decision, Shah Rukh said, “We haven’t told many people about this.”Gauri reflected on the role of their relationship when she appeared on “First Ladies” with producers Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla. In retrospect, he admitted that the couple’s efforts to support his family now appear to have been more than half-hearted.“We were very young and then we made the decision to marry someone who will join the movies, and to be of a different religion.Over the years, Shah Rukh and Gauri have often discussed respecting each other’s beliefs and ensuring that their children—Aryan, Suhana and AbRam—grow up appreciating both religions without being limited to one group.Speaking to Outlook Turning Points in 2013, Shah Rukh explained how he answers questions about religion at home. “It will also cause my two children to become completely confused. Sometimes, they ask me what religion I am and, like a good Hindi movie hero, I throw my eyes to the sky and wisely announce, ‘You are an Indian first and your religion is humanity’, or sing them an old Hindi movie song, ‘Tu Hindu banega na Musalmaan banenga – insaan ki aulaad Style insaan Ganega’.“Sharing how celebrations are held at her home, Gauri said: “When it comes to Diwali, I lead the pooja and the family follows and on Eid, Shah Rukh leads, and we follow. I think everything is very beautiful and the children agree. In fact, my children love what Shah Rukh has to say. For them Diwali, Eid, everything is good.”