Late on Friday night, Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan left for Italy. The purpose for the quiet exit is to celebrate Gauri’s birthday (on October 8).

As she turns 40, SRK’s wife wanted to do something different to say goodbye to the 30s.

Sources say that this year, Gauri had no intentions of throwing a big bash like every year at Mannat. She wanted to celebrate her big day only with people really close to her and without being under public glare.

And knowing what happens at birthday bashes (read: Salman Khan’s infamous bash for Katrina Kaif last year), Gauri prefers to have a quiet birthday.

It is learnt that SRK-Gauri’s good friend Kaajal Anand is accompanying them. Karan Johar might join them just before the birthday.

As the source puts it, “Gauri did not want her birthday to be a media event. She is a very private person and wanted to ring in her 40th birthday doing things that they can’t do otherwise. By going on a holiday and indulging in all the touristy things like sightseeing, eating out and shopping.”

Gauri chose Rome over the US, London and Dubai - their favourite holiday spots as there are fewer chances of them being recognised in Europe. “They don’t want people chasing them for snapshots and autographs. They want to be anonymous.”

Last year, Gauri had thrown a lavish bash at Mannat with the who’s who of B-Town in attendance.