New York, Feb 3 "King of Bollywood" Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, his co-star in many a hit Hindi film, became the first Indian actors to ring the opening bell of NASDAQ, the world's biggest stock exchange, an honour usually reserved for CEOs of major corporations.

It was a recognition of the reach and marketability of the world's largest film industry.

The actors — who recently got an award for the best duo in Hindi cinema — are in the U.S. to promote their upcoming film "My Name Is Khan", which is releasing on February 12. They came to NASDAQ and rang in the first trading day of February at 9.30 a.m. on Monday at a ceremony broadcast live on many television networks across the globe.

With over 3,700 companies listed, the NASDAQ has more trading volume than any other stock market in the world.

As the star pair made their way to the NASDAQ building in Times Square, Shah Rukh said on his twitter account: "Nasdaq will be fun. Have to make sure I reach on time, otherwise will end up being blamed for economic upheaval across the world too... ha ha."

The highly awaited movie reunites Khan and Kajol, who haven't appeared together in a film since "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham" in 2001."My Name if Khan" was shot in Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Francisco, and Mumbai. Directed by filmmaker Karan Johar, it is produced by his company, Dharma Productions.

"My Name Is Khan" was reportedly sold to Fox Star Studios last July for a record $21 million, the highest price ever paid by a distributor for a Bollywood film.

Under the deal, Fox Star Studios, a joint venture between American film studio 20th Century Fox and India's Star Group, acquired the worldwide marketing and distribution rights to the film. It will be released in North America by Fox Searchlight Pictures, a division of 20th Century Fox.