SHAH RUKH KHAN, who turned 44 on Monday, spent some �quiet time with family and friends� on his birthday, putting behind a year of ups and downs and looking forward to a strong comeback.

With only one of his films - Billu - hitting the screens in 2009, the actor has promised his fans more action in the coming two years. “I am a workaholic, but in the last year I couldn’t do much due to my shoulder problem. My team Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) didn’t do too well and I shot for just one film My Name Is Khan. My injury also pulled me down in terms of my endorsements, but I had time to introspect and spend a quieter time at home with my children,” Shah Rukh told reporters at a press conference in Mumbai.

“I feel more energetic and happy now and totally ready for a comeback with many projects in the next two years after this one-year break,” he added.

On his birthday, Shah Rukh has chosen to spend “quiet time with his family and friends” instead of partying hard, his spokesperson said.

The actor was in the capital to kick off the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon and cheer on the runners. It seemed like he is still recovering from an arthroscopic surgery he underwent earlier this year for a nagging pain in his left shoulder. The Bollywood superstar chose not to run at the marathon but caused quite a hysteria among the runners and watchers by just being present among them.

He said: “Though I could not run this time because of my shoulder and knee injury, I’ll try to be fit and run next year. Running is a spiritual experience.”

The past year also brought him disappointment when his cricket team KKR did not perform too well in the Indian Premier League (IPL) tournament. Shah Rukh was also in the spotlight when he underwent a two-hour detention at Newark Airport in the US in August, reportedly over his surname. Otherwise, 2009 gave the actor many reasons to cheer as he became Dr Shah Rukh Khan when he was presented an honorary doctorate in arts and culture by the Bedfordshire University in London.
He was also bestowed with two honours by the South Korean government - an honorary belt in taekwondo and the title of an honorary ambassador for culture and tourism.

Shah Rukh even purchased a 20 million pound apartment in London. Now, after spending quality time with his wife Gauri and children Aryan and Suhana, Shah Rukh is looking forward to the release of various films like My Name Is Khan, Happy New Year and Don 2. The actor says he is most keen to work in a superhero film, which he is designing on his own.

My Name Is Khan is the most awaited of SRK’s movies as it will mark his coming together with actress Kajol for the first time in eight years. The two starred in five films together, including Baazigar, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, all of which were superhits.

‘I feel 25’

SHAH RUKH KHAN may have turned 44, but the actor says he still feels just 25 - barring the physical problems he has had in the past year. “I have been in my 40s for a few years now and I gracefully accept the age. But honestly, I feel like I am just 25 or 26 except for the physical problems I’ve had in my past year,” Shah Rukh told reporters.

“Maybe I look older, but then when I look younger, people say I get plastic surgeries done to my face. When I look old, they say I am over and done with. But the fact is that when I sleep well, I look young and when I don’t get enough sleep, I look old,” he quipped.

The actor underwent an arthroscopic surgery for acute pain in his left shoulder in February and was on a forced break to recuperate completely. But he promises to make up for his absence.

Apart from work, the actor wants to do good to society by “doing something for youngsters, underprivileged girls and talk to 16- 17-year-old children who are on the threshold of voting for the government and leading the world forward”.

“I don’t know whether I want to join an NGO, but in my heart I have this strong feeling that I want to give something back to society,” he said.