Shah Rukh Khan has made 99 movies, boasts a combined 54.8 million social media followers and made a whopping $US33 million in 2016, but precious few outside India know who he is.

This became very evident at the TED2017 conference in Vancouver, Canada, last week, where the so-called Baadshah (King) of Bollywood was forced to introduce himself and explain what he does to the crowd.

“I’ve been made to understand there are lots of you here who have never seen my work, and I feel really sad for you,” Khan joked to guests who had paid around $US10,000 to see him and other notable figures speak.

“I’m a movie star. I’m 51 years of age. I sell dreams and I peddle love to millions of people back home in India, who assume I’m the best lover in the world.”

The Mumbai-based actor, who is beloved in his home country, proceeded to wow attendees at the annual conference with his 20-minute speech, earning a standing ovation.

Khan’s wide-ranging and joke-heavy speech covered everything from ageing, to women’s rights, to the perils of the internet age, to immigration.

Khan is well-versed in the challenges of prejudice and privilege in today’s globalised society, having been born the Muslim son of a freedom fighter in a refugee camp in Delhi.

In August last year, he tweeted about being detained by US immigration at Los Angeles airport for a third time without being given a clear reason.

I fully understand & respect security with the way the world is, but to be detained at US immigration every damn time really really sucks.

— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) August 12, 2016

An avid social media user whose sense of humour has earned him 24.6 million Twitter followers and another 23 million on Facebook, Khan spoke eloquently about the downsides of the internet age.

“We had expected an expansion of ideas and dreams; we had not bargained for the enclosure of judgment,” he said of the world wide web, before urging conference guests to use their influence for good.

“You may use your power to build walls and keep people outside, or you may use it to break barriers and welcome them in,” he concluded.

“You may use your faith to make people afraid and terrify them into submission. Or you can use it to give courage to people, so they rise to the greatest heights of enlightenment.”

Khan’s speech also received rave reviews on social media for being “witty and insightful”.

He was more excited, however, to meet his favourite actor – 80-year-old Hollywood legend Warren Beatty. Khan shared a selfie of the pair on Twitter, earning thousands of retweets.

The Indian actor was in good company at the conference, which also featured talks from Pope Francis (via video link), Tesla founder Elon Musk and tennis star Serena Williams.

After a whirlwind travelling spree spent a quiet evening with friends in LA & met one of my fav stars…Warren Beatty. pic.twitter.com/LPC4IIwrCE

— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) April 30, 2017