Shah Rukh Khan, Rajamouli make it to TIME's 2023 100 most influential

New York: Time Magazine has listed Indian actor Shah Rukh Khan, film director S.S. Rajamouli, author Salman Rushdie and television host and judge Padma Lakshmi among the world's most influential people of 2023, PTI reported.

Further, the list includes US President Joe Biden, King Charles, Syrian-born swimmers and activists Sara Mardini and Yusra Mardini, star icon Bella Hadid, billionaire CEO Elon Musk and iconic singer and artist Beyonce.

Deepika Padukone, who wrote Shah Rukh Khan's profile, said, "For someone who has known him intimately and cares for him deeply, 150 words will never do justice to the phenomenon that is Shah Rukh Khan." She said that Khan would be "known forever as one of the greatest actors of all time" and added, "But what truly sets him apart is his mind, his chivalry, his generosity. The list goes on..."

The "Pathaan" star won 4 per cent of the vote of the more than 1.2 million votes cast.

Actor Alia Bhatt wrote RRR director SS Rajamouli's profile. She said the director "knows the audience he's serving. He knows what beats to hit, what turns to take." "I call him the master storyteller because he genuinely loves the flair and abandon of stories. And he brings us together."

According to her, India is a massive country with diverse demographics, tastes, and culture, but SS Rajamouli gets that and "unites us through his movies." She recalled asking the RRR director for acting advice, to which he had replied, "Whatever choice you make, just do that with love. Because even if the film doesn't work, the audience will see love in your eyes for what you're doing."