Superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who in over 25 years of his career, has mastered the tricks of the trade in Bollywood, says nobody is “smarter” than him.

A proud father of three children — sons Aryan and AbRam and daughter Suhana — Shah Rukh minces no words in speaking his mind.

And so, when asked if he finds his elder son Aryan, who recently graduated, smarter than he was during his youth, the 50-year-old said with a smile: “Nobody is smarter than me. Better looking, maybe.”

Do you really think so?

Pat came the reply: “I think so… and he wears better clothes because he takes my clothes. But smart, no.”

Aryan Wears Better Clothes Because He Takes Mine: Shah Rukh Khan

Aryan Wears Better Clothes Because He Takes Mine: Shah Rukh Khan

What about three-year-old AbRam, who seems to be taking away the lion’s share in the cuteness quotient?

“I say this straight away — there is nobody smarter than me… Outside the family or inside my family. I am too cool,” the Bollywood ‘badshah’ reiterated.

Shah Rukh was at KidZania, an edutainment destination, of which he owns a stake of 26 per cent.

The second such destination in India, KidZania — which first began operations in Mumbai in 2013 — opened its doors here on May 26. With paved roads, battery-operated vehicles, buildings, a fully functional economy with its own currency along with 27 real world brands, the place offers an authentic real world experience to its young guests for role-playing activities that promote learning with fun.

“I try to do things for children. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn’t. Mashallah, this one has worked very well,” said the actor-producer, who is one of Indian cinema’s top-rated and highest paid stars.

Edutainment, the Fan star feels, is a “space which can grow in India”.

“Around 10 to 15 years ago, we were a developing nation, but now India is at the cusp of being developed. One has to understand that first come ‘Roti, kapda aur makaan’. Then come entertainment and edutainment, and I think we are on the cusp of that.

“That’s why you’re seeing the IPL (Indian Premier League), the Kabaddi league, and more such things coming up. The big thing here is going to be looking after the children,” said Shah Rukh, expressing hope that “there’s a huge possibility of doing things in terms of television, films, theme parks, outdoor sports activities and more for children in India”.

“We look at the West and say, ‘How come they have so many things for their kids?’ But it is because some of them are developed nations that they can venture out into this,” he added.