Does Shah Rukh Khan's fame challenge Hindu nationalism?
Bollywood's King Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, is known around the world as a cultural phenomenon that transcends borders. But he is a Muslim, and his religion has become somewhat of an issue in India — where anti-Muslim sentiments are rising.
Khan's latest movie, Jawan, stirred up a political storm in the South Asian country. Many believe the film contains subtle references to the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and touches on several controversies that have mired the government.
In 2021, Khan's son Aryan was arrested on drug charges but later exonerated. Although Khan has remained quiet about the ordeal, some analysts say the arrest was politically motivated.
Some observers believe that such animosity towards the Bollywood icon, who presents and promotes a secular image of his country, stems from a larger Hindu-nationalist plan to portray people from minorities as "second-class citizens." The BJP vehemently denies this allegation.
Khan hasn't made any recent public statements about intolerance, but his latest action-packed movies, Pathaan and Jawan, tell a different story. Both have been mammoth box-office successes — and both carry political commentary.
Khan is hugely popular, and his movies attract long lines of fans outside theatres and crowded auditoriums inside. It's the kind of popularity that could threaten the BJP's pursuit of its Hindu nationalist agenda — particularly at a time when the right wing is seen as trying to influence Bollywood, according to some analysts.
Khan has always been considered progressive with liberal values and extremely inclusive, according to an entertainment reporter from a leading Indian newspaper who did not wish to be named. "His [Khan's] personal life mirrors the 'idea of India,' especially to the global audience. He's a Muslim man in a Hindu-majority country, married to a Hindu wife, but has children growing up taking up whatever religion they want to," the journalist told DW.
Why is Khan's religion considered so important?
Khan's popularity in India attracts a huge fan base — none of whom consider his religion as something that matters to them, Mazumdar pointed out. After Khan's son was detained, journalist Rana Ayyub wrote an article that sparked widespread discussion on whether his arrest was a result of his being the son of one of India's biggest Muslim superstars who has never shied away from his religious identity.
She said that the actor's films attempt to eliminate anti-Muslim prejudice amid a barrage of films that are "Islamophobic." Ayyub suggested that Khan normalizes being a Muslim, and in Jawan, he subtly tries to "portray a message against communal politics." "Yes, he becomes a threat because Bollywood is massive, which is why the government of the day is using it as propaganda to vilify Muslims," Ayyub told the outlet.
"There simply can't be powerful Muslims in the emerging 'Hindu-first order,' so the very presence of stars like Shah Rukh Khan is deeply problematic for Hindutva supporters. More so, if they make social comments and emerge as a voice in society independent of their screen persona," Chowdhury added.
Addressing societal issues
The entertainment journalist told the publication that the targeting of Khan by the BJP is rooted in the actor's "continued stubbornness not to follow what they want." "This constant targeting of Shah Rukh Khan is coming from a space of 'why is he still standing tall?' There is a long history there," the journalist underlined.
Several BJP officials that the publication contacted refused to comment on the issue. However, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia diverted the blame on the opposition Congress party in a post on social media platform X, formerly Twitter. "We must thank Shah Rukh Khan for exposing the corrupt, policy paralysis-ridden Congress rule from 2004 to 2014 through Jawan movie," he posted. "It reminds all viewers of the tragic political past during the Congress led-UPA government," he added.
On whether Khan's popularity comes in conflict with the BJP's Hindu nationalist agenda, Ayyub said that his films ensure a dialogue — albeit a cursory one.
"It's a very small dent in the Hindu nationalistic agenda. It's not going to change anything," she said. "The people who are going to watch Jawan will also watch movies driven by right-wing agenda. It will try to create some kind of awareness, but it won't be long-lived. It is probably a flash in the pan," Ayyub added. "But if Khan films keep coming in time and again, it will be a reminder to the country that there is some sanity left in the chaos that we see."
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