Berlin (PTI): Bollywood heartthrob Shah Rukh Khan was given a rapturous reception here as he made his debut at the Berlin Film Festival to attend the German premiere of his latest blockbuster "Om Shanti Om".

A capacity crowd of over 500, predominantly European film fans, danced in ecstasy, clapping and waving their hands as some chartbusters from the film were played in one of the main screening centres of the ongoing 58th Berlinale.

As Shah Rukh Khan appeared on the stage, the audience gave him a standing ovation lasting several minutes, amidst loud cheers and shouts of "Shah Rukh".

Khan told the audience that he was quite moved by their reception and thanked them for their interest in his films and in the Indian cinema as a whole.

The Indian superstar also thanked the Berlin Film Festival and its director Dieter Kosslick for enabling the German premiere of his film "Om Shanti Om" at the Berlinale and for showing a new interest in the mainstream Indian cinema.

"By featuring 'Om Shanti Om' as well as earlier Hindi productions like 'Don', 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham' and 'Main Hai Hoon Na' in the past years, the Berlin Film Festival helped the mainstream Indian cinema to achieve a major breakthrough in Europe," Khan said.