Shah Rukh denies making any anti-national remarks

Comments [ 44 ] By India-Forums.com Staff | 07 February 2010 | 10:33am

Shah Rukh Khan Saturday said he was glad the Shiv Sena understood his point on freedom of expression and reiterated that he had never said anything that was anti-national or anti-Indian.

Shah Rukh faced flak from the Shiv Sena for his comment that Pakistani cricket players be included in the third season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). He owns IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders.

His comment didn't go down well with the Sena which sought an apology and threatened to stop the release of all his films in Mumbai starting with 'My Name Is Khan', due for releasing Feb 12.

The Sena now reportedly has no objection to the screening of his film 'My Name Is Khan' in 'as many theatres and for as many days as he wants' -- as Sena supremo Bal Thackeray has said in Saamana editorial Saturday.

Shah Rukh said he had been 'misunderstood' on that issue.

'I don't think I have ever said anything anti-national or non-Indian. I need not explain my Indian-ness to anybody,' he said.

'I have only said what every Indian should. I stand by what I have said. I think there's a bit of agenda and politics in all this,' Shah Rukh told reporters here.

'Often we film people find ourselves on the wrong side of politics. I don't think the Sena went against my film because it has 'Khan' in the name. The good news is that I have just heard there will be no problems with my film,' he added.

'I am glad Sena could understand my point of view... I have a personal identity, but also a national identity... We are Indians, and my Indian identity makes me believe in certain things. I don't hold anyone responsible and I stand by what I have said,' he said.

The Sena had threatened it would not allow the release of Khan's new movie unless he apologized for his pro-Pakistani cricketers comments - which the actor declined to do.

Enraged by this, Sena activists tore and burnt posters of the movie and even SRK's effigies in different parts of the state, prompting the state government to provide full security to theatres and multiplexes where the movie was slated for release.

Later, Sena leaders unofficially retracted from having issued any such diktat to ban the movie and it is expected that it may be released without any problems now.

Khan urged that arts, sports and culture should not be mixed with politics as they help in building better ties between countries.

'I agree there are political problems between the two countries (India and Pakistan), but when it comes to sports, culture and arts, they should not be involved in politics,' Khan said.

On why his team Kolkata Knight Riders did not select any Pakistani players for IPL, Khan said it is discretion of the coach and the captain.

'I cannot question their strategy and capacity. Moreover, there was only one slot available and nobody told us to take or not to take any Pakistani players. We also have to take into consideration the prevailing atmosphere.'

The actor also shared his family's concern after the furore.

'My daughter asked me over the phone if we'll have to leave India,' he said.

The actor returned here from visit to the US and Britain Saturday after promoting 'My Name Is Khan' with director Karan Johar and actress Kajol.

Considering the gravity of the situation and the circumstances, he and Kajol came out separately from the airport. He was accompanied by a sea of police personnel as well as his own security guards. Johar left the airport premises separately.

The state government as well as the police here have promised full cover to cinema properties where 'My Name Is Khan' would be screened.

At the airport, Shah Rukh pointed out his proximity with the Thackeray family.

'I will go meet Balasaheb if he calls me. He is a senior leader. I have gone in the past when he's called me. I enjoy his company,' he said.

He also spoke out in favour of Mumbai - a sensitive topic with the Shiv Sena.

'I am what I am because of Mumbai. I want everyone in Mumbai to be happy. Why should we have this kind of stress? Let's be patient and talk it out,' he said.

Copyright IANS

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Date: 2/15/2010 4:54:11 AMadieus50
United we stand
I just saw the movie in Dubai as it released here on Thursday. The movie is awesome…Shahrukh's performance is topnotch!! After Chak de India, this is his best acting ever… Concept of the Movie: There are only two kind of people in the world – Good people who do good deeds and Bad people who do bad deeds and there is no other difference!!. What a concept. I really salute to the cute emotional scenes of Shahrukh!!! Truly Awesome!!. I am proud that SRK didnt apologize to Shivsena, If he would have done that his movie would have added another 70-80 crore to the profits but not the true message of the film – which is humanity!!. hats off to Shahrukh. No-one has the power to change the past. You can however start influencing the future. The normal public is all cool in both countries...it"s just that some people feel the need to terrorise. A man from Goa raped a 9-yr old Russian, it means that Russia now has the liberty to say that every Goan/Indian is a rapist..which would be wrong.Let us limit ourself to curse the Terrorist than to everyone in the neighbour land. The western world"s moto is "United we stand". I think it is about time we learnt the true meaning and value of these simple three words.
Date: 2/15/2010 12:37:25 AMmiranda22
afreen comment
sorry but ur comment is really very racist u kind of people should be band
Date: 2/8/2010 1:15:17 AMafreen_
Goshhh Man hate u stupid Raj Thackeray & Shiv Sena
SRK WELLDON now i believe dat u r a good muslim and good guy.<br/>Go to hell man who cares if he has brang pakistani cricketers coz PAKISTAN CRIcKETERS R BORN FOR CRIKETS.INDIANS U SUCK AT SOCCER & CRICKET.<br/>MUSLIM ROCKS THE WORLD. people muslim is the real religoen and come and become muslim coz its good when u die u wont go to hell.ITS GOOD IF U BECOME MUSLIM COZ ALLAH RULES THE WHOLE WORLD NOT UR STUPID OTHA GODS AND STUPID DOLLS LIKE bagvan BIGG SPIT ON UR STUPID BAGVAN!
if u have anything to say email me ok afreen_2010-02-08 01:17:42
Date: 2/7/2010 10:48:52 PMSheVi4life
i luv SRK for standing by wat he said nd not getting scared of anything...

now about the discussion by sum people here...i cant beleive there r some people on If like caroash.....m not paki but i still feel that u had no rite to blame the whole race..i hate it when people have hatred against sum races grow up people after all we all are from the human race....this was really sick comment made by 'caroash'.....if it werent for pople like u there would always be peace nd there wouldnt be conflicts over race...sadly u dont understand that..dont judge people by there color or nationality....nd m indian but i dont think pakis are terrorists coz i dont judge people by there ethnicity2010-02-07 22:51:29
Date: 2/7/2010 10:23:51 PMpria4ever
I am very happy that SRK did not succumb to the pressure of the Shiv Sena... he doesn't need to prove his Indianess to anybody...n he is right wen he says that politics should not be mixed with entertainment or sports...its high time tat people also give a befitting reply to both the SS n MNS...n i fully agree with Pallavi25- SS should have been banned long time back, had tat happened, it wouldn't have given birth to another MNS, who operate on the same lines...2010-02-07 22:30:01
Date: 2/7/2010 9:22:44 PMShaina_b
I am totally with Shahrukh!!!!!

He has done our country proud!!!!

Good for him that he has stood on his beliefs and not apologised!!!!!These politicians make an issue out of everything!!!!!!
Date: 2/7/2010 9:21:53 PMAyesha_25
i am DEEPLY upset by some people replying to this post and calling us PAKIS and terrorists :$ HOW CAN ANYONE blame an ENTIRE RACE over faults of others. I am a british pakistani and hav NEVER EVER shown hatred toward indians our culture and religion teaches us to treat every1 as equals and respect them! I luv SRK and am a big bollywood fan i even watch indian dramas and wen we get called paki terrorists by some ppl it is just humiliating and upsetting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Date: 2/7/2010 9:17:45 PMFiiLza
@caroash - firstly SRK doesnt need any publicity...he is world famous..secondly he didnt kno his comments wud offend shiv sena so much tht he will restrict srk's movie in mumbai...lastly...SRK didnt create the fuss..SHiv sena did...GOT IT!!!
p.s. Terrorism doesnt come from Pakistan!!!u hve no right to point fingers at the whole nation due to few ppl...!!!
Date: 2/7/2010 7:20:24 PMEmAsh
Promotion,Fame everything srk has used to get public attention. he is always in news. Half of the india supporing because of his fame not for anything else. why he need to create such fuss? Terrorism comes from paki.
Date: 2/7/2010 5:49:38 PMshruti.nil
the shiv sena guys have lost it....how can you question someones nationaltiy yaar...thats so damn cheap....why doent someone just send them to mars........they dont deserve to saty with anyone!