Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan isn’t as outspoken as he used to be, but in an interview with Rajdeep Sardesai, the actor spoke about ‘growing intolerance’ in the country.
“With great power comes great vulnerabilities. If I take a stand on an X thing or a Y thing, people will come out and throw stones at my house but if I do take a stand, I’ll stand by it. I feel sad, it’s unfortunate and extremely pathetic but its better to keep quiet and do your job” Khan said, a day before his birthday.
The actor added that there is a little more leeway for actors to express themselves in America, as compared to India.
“How many times should I react? America with all its issues and non-issues has slightly more leeway” he said.
When asked about the ‘growing intolerance’ in the country, which has ‘forced’ the so-called ‘intelligentsia’ in the country to give back their awards, Khan said “Yes there is intolerance, there is growing intolerance. People put words in the air even before thinking. We keep talking about the new India, but if this country is not secular, happy in its approach and allowing people to be… the youngsters are not going to stand for it. It’s stupid to be intolerant. And this is my biggest issue. Not being secular in this country is the worst kind of crime you can do as a patriot”
In a rare attempt at giving his political take, Shah Rukh said there shouldn’t be ‘vote banks’ in the country.
“I am saying this as a citizen of this nation, we will never be a power if you don’t believe that all religions are equal. You often hear about vote banks, there should not be vote bank politics, it’s nonsense” Khan said.
The biggest statement, however, came when he was asked if he would give up his Padma Shri award. To which Khan said “I mean just for a symbolic gesture yes, if I have to.”
The actor, who married a hindu girl, also said inter-religious marriages should be perfectly normal.
“But that should not be an example. This should be the perfectly normal thing to do. Hindus living in perfect harmony with Muslims”
Other key points from SRK’s interview
- We have made a huge thing about our meat-eating habits. How can the food habits of people be an issue?
- In my house, everyone is free to follow their religion. My kids were confused about whether they were Muslim or Hindu, I said ‘why not Christian?’
- If you are a patriot, you must love your country as a whole, not parts of it as religions and regions
- Anupam Kher should be able to give his opinion about another director and be able to have a discussion about it. That’s tolerance
- I think it’s very brave of those returning their awards. I am on their side. If they tell me to join them on a march or a press conference, I would
- Personally, it’s too much of symbolism to return my awards. Just returning something, I am not a believer in that
- I have a weapon on my side. I think I am extremely loved by people. If someone takes a stand against me, I have enough people to love me back. I am not scared, just selfish sometimes. I don’t want a nuisance, I am scared of a nuisance. I work 18 hours a day and I need to be left alone to do my job
- It is very degrading and humiliating to have to prove my patriotism. I am an Indian-born movie star. I am an Indian-born Indian. I am Indian – how does that get questioned? Nobody has more right to live in this country than me, and I am not going to leave. So shut up
The response to SRK’s ‘growing intolerance’ statement has received its fair share of support and criticism.
The biggest support to his statement, quite unexpectedly, came from BJP leader Arun Jaitley, who said “If someone says ‘there shouldn’t be intolerance in the country” what is wrong in that? The nation has never been intolerant and debates won’t spoil the atmosphere”
However, the actor has been heavily criticised on social media websites like Twitter and Facebook for his statement. A lot of people have spoken about his ‘tolerance’ level at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai and also about the fact that he was detained and questioned at the US airport back in 2010. Others have said that the superstar is adding fuel to the media and Congress created debate, more so because of his closeness to the Gandhi family.
@Ultron : What kind of intolerance? Can you elaborate a bit? Don’t speak the language of political parties. @bajanpakistani 11:06 pm : Awards like padmashree/padmabhushan can be bought? In that way, you are not having faith in our constitution itself. Most dumbest comment I can ever read. Lol.
@Sky 01:04 am: Partly agree with your statement. I know, being a superstar he should not get into all these controversies. Political parties and his critics will be waiting for an opportunity.
But if you see his whole statement (though that was an unnecessary statement) , it was a bit exaggerated. They asked a question and he replied saying, I’ll support those people who feel there is a religious intolerance in our country, but not by returning my awards. But many have started cribbing as SRK is the solo responsible for the end of earth . lol
@All : Yes, like or hate my comment, but I indeed feel that it’s a drama of those poets/artists (who are returning their awards) and it is being backed by ‘Con-gress’ and Team. How many of you are aware of Mudasser Rana? Recently he return this awards and then after few days he is saying, I’ll take my award back if PM Modi asks me to do so. I mean WTF ..?
Why should PM come and pacify each and every moron like you? Doesn’t he have any other work? And what kind of protest is this, which ends with PM’s statement/request? Doesn’t it mean that you are just a publicity hungry creature and nothing else??
As far as SRK is concerned, I know he is not calculative and whatever he speaks, he speaks from heart. It’s completely his choice to express himself if he feels this country is being intolerant. But as his die-hard fan, I don’t want him to get into all such controversies and earn criticism.
Nice article @indicine. I would also want to know your take on this issue. Is it really over crucial as it seems to be or not?
Good to see different broad minded readers. Tells a lot about their sixth sense.
By the way where @SSS? Oh I forgot this is not Salman Ajay or Hritik article if not he would be the first to comment first page. I don’t think he even knows what this article is all about. If not you will be seeing KING KHAN or ROFL ever long essay history paragraph of his with QUEENS ENGLISH. even though not funny!!!!!
keep it up @indicine. Very educative and nerve usage article, even though I support some of Srks points. One love India. Jai hind!!!
SRK
@ Sky :
1. Just for expressing his views , SRK gets tagged as ‘Pak agent’ ‘Deshdrohi’ etc . Isn’t it intolerance enough ?
2. BJP leaders want Sanskrit to be the National language of our country , and cow to be the National animal of our country . Please explain WHY this biased attitude towards a particular religious community ?
3. Govt tries to suppress the FTII students without even listening to them . Why ?
4. Dalits are being compared to dogs , Muslims are ‘advised’ to leave India , Ghar-Wapsi being proposed by many political parties , Orders being issued on the eating rights of a human , Pakistani artists are not being allowed to perform in our country – are these not enough proof of intolerance ?
And lastly , no SRK fan has ever claimed that SRK is the ONLY reason why outsiders know about India … , but of course SRK is ‘one of the’ reasons !
Ghar wapsi, love jihad, yoga, surya namaskar, forced beef ban etc etc etc is religious tolerance…happy!!
I go with Shah rukh sir even though being his great fan I still feel him. This Government really needs to fasten her seat belts to move forward. @indicine pls will want to see others verdict on Srk sir philosophy today. It’s a free country.
LASTLY but not the LEAST I would like to use this median to salute all the other superstar fans today. Hats off guys!!! to be honest I feel more proud that SALMAN AjAY and AAMIR fans mostly showed their support for Shah Rukh khan! So matured of them,they may not be directly supporting Srk but the agree with him. Unfortunately the Akshay fans that always pretend to be with Srk have really suprised me. All of them for that matter!! thanks for your support guys!!!? wishing Dangal Sultan Shivaay Badshaoo the very best next year. Kudos!!
@Orissa it’s morons like you that allows others to bash Shah Rukh. Sad some are even liking his comments? @Orissa where on earth has Salman or Ajay ever apologized to Srk on tweeter? Pls stop this rubbish you clown!!!!
@Mohit, dude very good post. Keep it up.
@ Xzone, well said.
why dont you people give back the money you earned through public (oh i mean intolerant public) why only awards…coz it costs nothing but a cheap publicity….And this statement of yours shows how tolerant you are towards the public or rather fans who supports you…you are now own a piece of shit for me and many more…the person who cant even respect his nation and put it on bad light on global level
@xzone.. this is not the conspiracy against modi.. the incidents happens at dadri,noida is all bcoz of negligency of modi…..and y he never gave a statement against those killings….i think he has given a statement for noida killing but that too after so many days and due to the presure of opposite govt and media.. y he is not reacting strongly against those killings….
it doesnt mean i love congress..all political parties are dumb and shit.. but bjp is at top…
what modi has done from last 2years…any body can ans me?… just travelling around the world for own sake….can i know what business deal he has locked with the countries he has visited which benefits our country….he has done nothing apart from taking selfies…..he has even said before thr election that he will sit like a watchman in delhi and protects all indians but now what he is doing…..just nothing
@king golden heart
Are you kidding me? Blame your ignorance not Modi. Here’s some links you need to read if you think Modi is doing foreign trips for selfies.
https://www.quora.com/What-benefits-has-India-attained-up-to-now-because-of-Narendra-Modis-foreign-trips
https://www.quora.com/Has-foreign-investement-in-India-increased-because-of-Narendra-Modi-What-is-the-ground-reality
https://www.quora.com/What-has-the-Modi-government-achieved-since-coming-to-power
Read Balaji Vishwanathan’s answer in the second link and Jignesh Gavale’s answer in the third link (this answer is more broader and not just limited to foreign trips)
@Indicine, kindly do something.
@Anand-The_Original is not me. Somebody is misusing my ID. Please ban him.
Dear ID Chor, koi bhi ho.. have some shame.
My original ID was Anand. A paglapurian has stolen it. So I have changed to this one.
Now again?????
@gj007….bro u read that again…and tell me what india has gained….has the infrastructure of india improved? has the poverty decrease? has religion intolerance decreased? has the corruption ends?…so whts d need to make a foreign trips that too 9 in 6 months….wher our country has so many probles killing other in d name of religion….first look out for ur own family first then go outside
@indicine : Any issue with 8:41 am and 8:59 am comments ?
@Aunt : Just shut up. Don’t use this as your weapon against SRK. You moron have to cry on every SRK article, no matter what’s the subject.
GROW UP !!!!
@Sameer 07:49 pm : Do you know the meaning of ‘Right of speech’ ? As far as I know , current government has not proposed any amendment in constitution, which will snatch the ‘right of speech’ from a common man. Nor we have observed any such incident recently, where someone was stopped to express him/herself. Then what makes you to think as if there is no ‘right to speech’ in our country ?
@chuhe 07:51 pm : Don’t show your hypocrisy. It’s not like you are sympathised with SRK, but currently BJP/Modi hater in you, is speaking. Where were you when criminal fans and your very own Naveena aunt were making fun of SRK when he was detained at US airport? Then also he took his stand for millions of Muslims who face such discrimination in US/UK. Your support and hate is based on your comfort level. Isn’t it?
@Sunny chachi 08:20 pm : When he says ’18 hours of work’, he talks about some hectic scheutand not like he works complete 365 days for 18 hours. Don’t talk rubbish.
@Ultron : What kind of intolerance? Can you elaborate a bit? Don’t speak the language of political parties. @bajanpakistani 11:06 pm : Awards like padmashree/padmabhushan can be bought? In that way, you are not having faith in our constitution itself. Most dumbest comment I can ever read. Lol.
@Sky 01:04 am: Partially agreed with your statement. I know, being a superstar he should not get into all these controversies. Political parties and his critics will be waiting for an opportunity.
But if you see his whole statement (though that was an unnecessary statement) , it was a bit exaggerated. They asked a question and he replied saying, I’ll support those people who feel there is a religious intolerance in our country, but not by returning my awards. But many have started cribbing as SRK is the solo responsible for the end of earth . lol
@All : Yes, like or hate my comment, but I indeed feel that it’s a drama of those poets/artists (who are returning their awards) and it is being backed by ‘Con-gress’ and Team. How many of you are aware of Mudasser Rana? Recently he return this awards and then after few days he is saying, I’ll take my award back if PM Modi asks me to do so. I mean WTF ..?
Why should PM come and pacify each and every moron like you? Doesn’t he have any other work? And what kind of protest is this, which ends with PM’s statement/request? Doesn’t it mean that you are just a publicity hungry creature and nothing else??
As far as SRK is concerned, I know he is not calculative and whatever he speaks, he speaks from heart. It’s completely his choice to express himself if he feels this country is being intolerant. But as his die-hard fan, I don’t want him to get into all such controversies and earn criticism.
if there intolerance in country this overrated moron would not have able to be a peon in a govt. school, anyways he is known for his Pakistan and KHANGRESS prem, And after this statement if people of India still go his movie then its unfortunate for India. If this type of statement this Moron made in other country he would have cut into pieces. #traitorsrk
@King of hearts.. Every Prime Minister has to make foreign trips. Even Manmohan Singh did as many trips as Modi during his tenure, but that isn’t getting highlighted because noone cared about Manmohan. SRK gave a statement and its headlines, if Vivek Oberoi said the same thing, no one would care. That’s the difference between Modi and MMS.
As to what Modi has done. Do you think he has got a magic wand to improve everything in the country in just 18 months? How many days does it take to plan and build your own house? Can you do it within a year, that too without workers who build your house uniting to support you?
Here we are talking about an entire nation, that is very complex. He has to fight against all odds, during times when everyone is trying to pull him down.
The people of India has voted for him with a majority. Let him work peacefully for 5 years. If after 5 years, he hasn’t done his job well, then you are free to criticise him.
Don’t blindly believe what people say about these foreign trips. India needs foreign investment and foreign companies to come and manufacture in India.
If you’re interested I am willing to give you 10 articles about what work has been done in the last 2 years. But you need to be open minded and give him a fair chance.
@sky-the complan boy,OMG how intelligent you’re!!!!!,ROFL.really KING KHAN didn’t said about anything about swach bharat abhiyan?????are you such a big dumb?????HE said during that time HE need not to sweep the road to prove HIMSELF the most hygienic rather HE said if everyone will take care of HIS own home as well as surroundings or the environment surrounds him where he works,stands,walks etc etc.but how can dumbs like you will understand HIS GREAT THINKING?????because you have to see dramas created by our pm/big stars,cricketers to made themselves to publicize on roads for one day.but my question can they really come everyday there to sweep the particular place where they made them publicized?????no right,then it doesn’t matter and not a way to change people’s thinking.as India will always remain India and couldn’t become europian or north american countries looking towards not only population but also looking towards their disgusting habits will not change no matters how many celebrities get on the road.
And another thing about HIS NRI FANS.are you so much dumb that you can’t even understand what HE wanted to say?????IT’S TRUTH that HE globalized Bollywood and Indian cinematic industry much more than other actors combined.but instead of that what HE got?????intolerant offensive allegations?????
What you do understand by the word called “intolerant”?????where were you when the criticizers said go back to Pakistan?????is this a tolerant allegations for A PATRIOT like KING KHAN?????HE is THAT GUY WHO CAN even die for HIS COUNTRY if situation will challenge HIM.but HE can’t bear of somebody will doubt on HIS PATROTISM.so HIS WORD ‘intolerant” only meant for those kind of puny haters aka deshdrohis who want to put down the PRIDE OF INDIA—-KING SRK.HE has every rights to say like that being a patriot.and HE also mentioned HE has LARGE LOVERS in HIS BACK(MAJORITY) rather than his inscular puny haters(minotity) under which you also belongs to,that’s why you reacted to HIS WORDS with out try to understand a bit.BIRTHDAY is the special day WHERE HE CAN share HIS journey of life as well as difgiculties with HIS country peoples,well wishers.so why your back is paining so much?????
Where were you when HIS CHILDREN troubled by security guard?????where were you at that time the difficulties through which HE had gone through????? A MAN who almost attend every stadium,functions,grand events almost everywhere but HE always showed down to earth respect for every low class peoples to high class peoples.but people should understand why only wankhede watchman slapped by HIM?????he must have done some guilty otherwise claps can’t be made with one hand which some dumbs till now couldn’t get that.
and peoples like you don’t even care about stars like salman did so many crimes,and about amir as he only speaks much in his so called socolial show smj and couldn’t gives penny to poors and is making fun of HINDU RELEGION through his dumb movies.this is not at all matters for you even a bit.
But when A GREATEST PATRIOT like KING KHAN not only globalized Bollywood ,India WORLDWIDE but also helped THE COUNTRY by giving HIGHEST CHARITY and get t recognition from UNESCO for HIS GOOD WORKS suddenly becomes a big problem for you for sharing HIS THOUGHTS,IPINIONS on birthday and not to sweep on roads on so-called swach bharat abhiyan?????
Now please anyone say who is insecure?????it’s @sky and those types of 1000 mental instablilized peoples are living in this countryn,see their mental stability and their behaviour towards THAT MAN upon WHOM THE WHOLE COUNTRY FEELS PROUD OF.
Well this comment not only intendent for insecures like @sky but also every such traitors who tried to insult DR.SRK.
and this comment also not for shameless salman fans who are supporting criminals and turned themselves to big criminal’s because they’ll not understand the film among of this comment.
@ishani ki galati,well ,horrible torturous films are atank hi atank,tum mere ho,mela,mangal pandey,the-laash,dhoom3,pk and almost above 50% amir movies are intolerant and turturous horrible craps.and this time I’m not joking,I’m serious.if you are such a so good movie watchers,and proxy voter of IMDb you should also would have taken these perfaketionist made torturous films,but you know what you’re a hypocrite.RBGM,RAM JAANE infinite times better than the above mentioned and above 50% of whole perfaketionist’s filmography,ROFL.
@salman fans/shriya,do care about your criminal idol’s pain that he is feeling now like hell due to the sins he committed in past.understand the difference between your criminal idol and THE BORN PATRIOT MEGALEGEND—-DR.SRK/KING OF BOLLYWOOD.
@mohit….iam open minded…and we r giving modi his time….but what we r getting back..killing of innocence peoples…i know every pm needs to do a foreign trip.. but these much.. no pm in history of india has made such trips (9 out of 6months)….. first u be a open minded dont tell me to be that…..see the other side also…half of the modi ruling is over and what we get ‘ just ghanta’…..
@king of hearts
Has the country improved? Wow. So you want Modi to fix a country of 1.3 billion in 2 years. I am sure you didnt even bother visiting the links I posted here because you are not even willing to see the other side of the picture.
Peace.
@mohit….if any one is capable to run anything than his or her attitude reflect that from the starting only and we had not seen that reflection in modi….he has done nothing in these 2 years and iam sure he will not do any thing in coming years….but i will hope that he should do something for the benefit of our country
@king of hearts.. what do you mean his attitude should reflect right from the beginning. His attitude is right and much better than the government that ruled for 10 years.
First be open minded.. instead of searching for negative articles on Modi.. try to search for the positive ones. There are thousands.. But most people who blindly hate him, don’t even give themselves a chance to even think he is doing anything good. That’s the biggest problem in this country.
@ Sky :
1. Just for expressing his views , SRK gets tagged as ‘Pak agent’ ‘Deshdrohi’ etc . Isn’t it intolerance enough ?
2. BJP leaders want Sanskrit to be the National language of our country , and cow to be the National animal of our country . Please explain WHY this biased attitude towards a particular religious community ?
3. Govt tries to suppress the FTII students without even listening to them . Why ?
4. Dalits are being compared to dogs , Muslims are ‘advised’ to leave India , Ghar-Wapsi being proposed by many political parties , Orders being issued on the eating rights of a human , Pakistani artists are not being allowed to perform in our country — are these not enough proof of intolerance ?
And lastly , no SRK fan has ever claimed that SRK is the ONLY reason why outsiders know about India … , but of course SRK is ‘one of the’ reasons !
@mohit….what right attitude he has got… under his ministership gujrat riots has happend where thousands of people has lost lives and u r talking that he has got the right attitude…. i think u r unaware by this fact bcoz no one want to talk about gujrat riots which modi is responsible and every one knows that
what is this? saying for symbolism I can return my awards……if u actually believe in it, you must have first returned the award, then spoken about this….
Also, this entire intolerance is a farse……in our country so many unfortunate incidents have happened but never before the persons returning awards now have even raised their voice…..
srk is an international figure who represents India. His comments can bring about a lot of disgrace to the country. International press has been reporting intolerance in India as if some hell has broken lose,
Very lose statement made by SRK, as I said if he actually and truly believes that the country is more intolerant now than ever before, he must have returned his padma award and then spoken about it…..
I understand that srk fans would be upset with people condemning srk for his statement but just cant turn a blind eye to a lose, irresponsible statement made by a person who has such huge following worldwide……brings disrespect to the country!
ofcourse calling srk a deshdrohi or pakistani is absolutely NON SENSE…..
fundamentalist leaders from India n Pakistan would make such statements just to entice the common man….just that SRK should have refrained from making such comments
srk is loved by all…..and wil be
@idiotzone & mohit:
Modi allowing his ministers & MPs to compare Dalits with Dogs, isn’t it intolerance??? Modi & co are justfying the killing of Kulbargi, Davolkar, Akhlakh. Isn’t it intolerance??? Most of the BJP leaders are saying that Muslim must leave India and modiji allowing them. Isn’t it intolerance??? Modi & his gang say all the scientist, artists, historians, journalists, poet who raise their voice against intolerance are desdrohi & congress’ agents. Isn’t it intolerance??? Most recently they have said SRK is a Deshdrohi & Pakistani agent. Isn’t it intolerance???
Come on Indicine You did’nt even posted my comment!! So,irresponsible of you guys..Written such a long comment and it did’nt even gets posted..Disappointed & Frustrated!!
@Babaji, apologises. Your comment has been posted on both related pages.