Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan's love story is often seen as one of Bollywood's most enduring romances. But before they got married, the couple had to overcome strong opposition from Gauri's family, largely because they belonged to different religions. During that phase, Shah Rukh even introduced himself using different names in an effort to make things easier for her parents.

The story has resurfaced over the years through old interviews and author Mushtaq Shiekh's book Shah Rukh Can, where the actor's unusual decision and the couple's early struggles have been documented.

Shah Rukh reportedly used different names

According to Mushtaq Shiekh's book Shah Rukh Can, Shah Rukh introduced himself as "Jeetender Kumar Tulli" at one point. The name was reportedly inspired by veteran actors Jeetendra and Rajendra Kumar, whose full name was Rajendra Kumar Tulli.

The book also mentions that the couple kept another detail of their wedding private for years. During their 1991 wedding, which included both Hindu and Muslim ceremonies, Shah Rukh adopted a Hindu name, while Gauri chose the name "Ayesha" for the nikah.

Recalling that decision, Shah Rukh said, "We have not told this to many people."

Gauri called it "silly and very childish"

In an earlier appearance on First Ladies with designers Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla, Gauri looked back at the phase when they were trying to convince her parents to accept the relationship.

At the time, she was 21 while Shah Rukh was 26 and preparing to enter the film industry, something that added to her family's concerns.

As per NDTV, explaining why they decided to change his name to "Abhinav," Gauri said, "We were so young and then to take a decision to get married, and to a person who is going to join films, and being from a different religion. We changed his name to Abhinav so they feel he is a Hindu boy but that was really silly and very childish."

The couple eventually got married on October 25, 1991, after performing both Hindu and Muslim wedding rituals.

A family that celebrates both faiths

More than three decades later, Shah Rukh and Gauri continue to speak about respecting each other's religions at home. They are parents to Aryan, Suhana and AbRam, and have often shared that their children have grown up celebrating both Hindu and Muslim festivals.

Speaking on the same show, Gauri explained how celebrations happen in their home.

"When it's Diwali, I lead the pooja and the family follows and on Eid, Shah Rukh leads, and we follow. I think it's all very beautiful and the kids accept. In fact, my children are more inclined towards whatever Shah Rukh would say. For them Diwali, Eid, all are fantastic," she said.

In a 2013 interview with Outlook Turning Points, Shah Rukh also spoke about how he explains religion to his children. He said, "It will also keep my two children completely confused. Sometimes, they ask me what religion they belong to and, like a good Hindi movie hero, I roll my eyes up to the sky and declare philosophically, 'You are an Indian first and your religion is humanity', or sing them an old Hindi film ditty, 'Tu Hindu banega na Musalmaan banega – insaan ki aulaad hai insaan banega' set to Gangnam Style."

Despite the challenges they faced before marriage, Shah Rukh and Gauri have remained together for over three decades, and their relationship continues to be cited as one of Bollywood's most lasting partnerships.