Shah Rukh Khan: I want my children to learn about religion on their own

Shah Rukh Khan believes religion is something personal and wants his children to discover it on their own.

The actor, who invited the media to celebrate Eid with him, said his parents encouraged him to respect all the religions.

"I believe religion is personal... You learn and respect each other because you learn about your religion on your own.

"I hope my children do the same," said Shah Rukh.

The actor, 51, a voracious reader, is known for his well-stocked library. He revealed that he has been reading Mahabharata for sometime now.

"I have been reading Mahabharata for last one and half years because I love the stories in it. I tell those stories to AbRam. Similarly, the stories that I know of Islam, I narrate them to him as well. I hope they learn all the religions on their own and respect it.

"I think those are the greatest stories that have been told ever. I want my kids to learn about religion themselves."

The star, who has three kids -- Aryan, Suhana and AbRam -- with wife Gauri, says he would cook pasta to celebrate the festival with his children as it is the only dish he knows how to make.

Suhana recently made an appearance with Shah Rukh for the launch of a high-end restaurant in Mumbai. Their pictures started trending on social media but Shah Rukh said their public outings is not related to movies.

The actor said too much media attention makes them feel "awkward".

"They are not movie stars. They just happened to be a movie star's children. And I think they are very respectful and they are very decent. When they come out with me I make sure that they stand and do a picture because I know it's meant to be important.

"I request that if you see them publicly... don't assume they'll be able to handle media like I do. They get awkward.

"Secondly, they come out publicly doesn't mean they want to be actors."

SRK had earlier said his daughter wanted to become an actress. However, he maintains that Suhana will get into the profession only after completing her studies.

"My children will finish their studies because in my house there is a minimal qualification rule which is graduation. They have to finish their college.

"Suhana is in 11th and still has 4-5 years of studies left. So there's a long long way to go. Just because she comes out publicly doesn't mean that we're taking her out in public so that people start calling her a 'heroine'."

The actor said he was an outsider when he came to Mumbai and did not need to come out publicly.

"I directly came in films and I hope my children do that once they are educated enough to do that."