Even as Shah Rukh Khan rang in his 52nd birthday last night with a celebration at his farmhouse in Alibaug, closer home, outside his Bandra residence, Mannat, thieves made good of the opportunity, escaping with nearly 30 mobile phones of unsuspecting fans. The fans had gathered outside to wish the star.

Fans from across India gathered outside Shah Rukh Khan's bungalow last night, to ring in his 52nd birthday. Pics/Satej Shinde

Around 3,000 SRK fans from across the state and India had thronged Mannat just before midnight to bring in the star's birthday, which falls today. Nobody, however, was aware that Khan had taken off earlier in the day to Alibaug with wife Gauri and select close friends. A group of youngsters even sported T-shirts with Khan's photograph printed on it. However, instead of catching a glimpse of the star waving at them, they were in for another unexpected surprise as several of them reportedly lost their valuables.