The king of Bollywood has finally opened up about the controversy revolving his statement on “growing intolerance” in India.
Shah Rukh Khan recently faced political backlash for voicing his opinion on the matter following which he was labelled a ‘Pakistani agent’ for extending his support to cross-border talent.
The Bollywood fraternity stood by SRK, but the actor chose to remain silent over the hot debate as he was busy with the shoot of his upcoming film Dilwale.
Now that the film has been completed, Shah Rukh has finally gotten the opportunity to explain what he meant.
In an exclusive interview with Mid-Day, SRK was asked if he would use his gift of the gab for a broader purpose, to which he said, “My reply will be in two parts. Yes, I think I should. I have an idea, but haven’t been able to put it to practice.”
“I want to create a weekly video where I could present myself to the world. I could be talking about everything, not just films. But then, I also think I should speak less,” he added.
Shah Rukh straight out denied he ever said India is intolerant: “I talk about something and it is misconstrued, and I get into trouble. That’s a nuisance. Like that thing which blew up recently – I never said India is intolerant.”
“When I was asked about it, I said I wouldn’t like talking about it, but when they insisted, I had just said that the youth should concentrate on making this a secular, progressive country. It is just that people like to believe what they want to believe,” he said.
“Misconstruing my words might or might not suit a particular political agenda, but I am annoyed because I didn’t mean what is being portrayed. I am an actor and make films. This is enough of a job. I am an icon because I can be what I am on screen,” the 50-year-old megastar added.
