New Delhi: Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan was at the centre of a controversy last year for his remark on “intolerance” in India. It propelled many political parties and social media users to speak against him.
Shah Rukh said at an event in November last year that there was "nothing worse than religious intolerance and that it would take India to the Dark Ages".
After his remarks, while some tagged him as an “anti-national”, others called it a political statement.
But Shah Rukh has a whole different story to tell.
Actor Shah Rukh Khan has said “sometimes I feel very sad… feel like crying” when he is “made to say I belong to this country, I am a patriot”.
“I am a patriot, rather we all are. We do not have to compete with others to say we are patriots… I will tell all young people to be tolerant, be happy, work hard and take this nation forward. Small, petty matters should not harm our nation’s interest,” Khan told Rajat Sharma on the India TV show ‘Aap Ki Adalat’.
“We should just move forward with positivity as we live in the greatest country in the world. We are one of the safest and most beautiful nations of the world. We should not tie up ourselves in petty obscurantist issues
“I want to say for the last time, I will not repeat it again, that there is no patriot greater than me in this country,” he said.
Shah Rukh further stated that he considers himself as “the most proud Indian in the world”
Further clarifying his remark, he said that through his thoughts, he had only “advised the young not to be intolerant in matters relating to regionalism, religion, caste, colour and creed.”
“My father was one of the youngest freedom fighters. How can I think this country has not been fair to any of us? A man like me, who has got everything from this great country, I'll be last one to complain,” Shah Rukh said.
“My family itself is a mini-India. My wife (Gauri Khan) is Hindu, I am a Muslim by birth, and my three children (Aryan, Suhana and AbRam) follow three religions. So how can I think of my country like this?” he quipped.
Shah Rukh's remarks were even considered by many to be against BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
However, Shah Rukh clarified on the Rajat Sharma's show that even he supports the central government.
“I would like to state here very clearly, when we chose a leader of our country, whoever may be, as great as (Narendra) Modi, all we have to do is to support him. Our nation has chosen him with a majority, so we have to support our leader and take the country forward and not be negative,” Shah Rukh said.
Meanwhile, Shah Rukh also revealed on the show that he “never takes money for acting in films”.
“I only charge fees for endorsements, for events and live shows. I only tell producers to pay me whatever they wish, if the films do well (at the box office). I don't take acting in films as business. This is my greatest thing that I can do to act in films,” Shah Rukh said.
“My biggest hope in my life is that more and more people watch my films and be happy, and one day I will make a film in India... I'm a big nationalist in such matters... which people of the world can watch and say that this film was made in India. So I want to be a part of that,” he added.
