Shahrukh Khan gave his first person account in the Outlook Turning Points magazine. PHOTO: IANS
Titled Being a Khan, the write-up appears in the current issue of the magazine and the 47-year-old actor, one of the few Indian actors with international recognition, writes: “I sometimes become the inadvertent object of political leaders who choose to make me a symbol of all that they think is wrong and unpatriotic about Muslims in India.”
“There have been occasions when I have been accused of bearing allegiance to our neighbouring nation rather than my own country — this even though I am an Indian, whose father fought for the freedom of India. Rallies have been held where leaders have exhorted me to leave and return what they refer to my original homeland,” added the superstar of Hindi cinema.
SRK is married to Gauri, a Hindu, and has two children — Aryan and Suhana.
“I gave my son and daughter names that could pass for generic (pan-India and pan-religious) ones — Aryan and Suhana. The Khan has been bequeathed by me so they can’t really escape it.”
“I pronounce it with my epiglottis when asked by Muslims and throw the Aryan as evidence of their race when non-Muslims enquire. I imagine this will prevent my offspring from receiving unwarranted eviction orders or random fatwas in the future,” he wrote.
He said he became so sick of being mistaken for some crazed terrorist, “who co-incidentally carries the same name as mine that I made a film subtly titled My Name Is Khan (and I am not a terrorist) to prove a point.”
Set in post 9/11 US, My Name Is Khan focuses on religious and national identities through Rizwan (SRK), who has Asperger’s Syndrome, and how his Khan identity becomes all important in a suspicious America.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 24th, 2013.
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COMMENTS (16)
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@kkumar: My only question. Is India in peace with any of its neighboring countries? Your comments as a national is well respected, but I cannot forget poor homeless people lying side by side on the whole green belt in front of Sheraton in Dehli of my visit back in 1996. The muslims, I came across in front of Dehli Jamia masjid, was like moving skeletons. On media, y ou are projecting your country very well, but it is not true.
@Rashid: hes being honest , what other indian muslims face. hes earned enough fame that hhe doesnt need to publicise.
Early 20th century Problem- Muslims in Hindu dominated parts of British India at risk of suffering from religious bias, violence and injustice. Those in majority areas are safe.
Mr. Jinnah's solution- Leave those at risk alone in the Hindu areas. Leaving your brothers in what you call enemy territory? Isn't that selfish?
millions of hindus watch khans movies and love him, indias ex presidend was muslim my best friend is a muslim, i m a hindu, where as pak cant have a hindu president or prime minister thankyou.
@Ali: Kindly update your GK before stating anything offhand. The world's largest democracy is also the greatest in all respects. It is here , irrespective of ones religion, caste or creed, a citizen can occcupy the highest and powerful of post. Check any field, be it politics, burocracy, judiciary, trade, industry, education and even entertainment industry , one can see shining examples of persons from different religions at the helm of affairs. The posts of President, Vice president, Chief Justice, Generals etc. are accessible to any and all irrespective of his religious or regional background. There might be disagruntled disloyal elements but they are not from any particular religion or community and their size is very miniscule and insignificant when compared to the geographical size and diversity of this great country. Check and compare each and every statement listed above with yours and then pass your valued judgement.
Its is a reality which every muslm faces in india! The indian never trúst a múslim.and about 2 nations theory are muslims living together peacefuly in pak.
i don't know why only shahrukh faces problem as a muslim...aamir has visited pak earlier and nobody in india objected about it ...it's SRK's cheap talk that no body likes...he often tries to project himself as a victim.
He was called unpatriotic because he said that a neighboring country involved in a terror attack on India was a "good neighbor to have" and not because of his religion. If that's the case, why are people not calling Amir Khan unpatriotic? His interview is only exposing SRK's deceitful nature.
@sonya So what you would be left with? @ Rashid what a stupid comment common man grow up SRK is on top of 100 celebs n sports men's Indians list by Forbes Magazine Indian edition which soon to be published.. He doesn't have to be worried about his career or movies he has crossed those up... I wish him more success...
SRK has always been forced to say something against Pakistan by Indian media but he never says against us, his continuous succession and publicity throughout the world have made some people's worried.. SRK is a great and a bold man..
Is SRK's article available on web ? will someone post it ? the magazine is not avialable here
Imagine what price the people of Pakistan are paying for just being associated....The problem could have been solved if the Brits would give some more parts of Indian Punjab to current day Pakistan and gift some pushtun areas to Afghanistan.
Zalim Singh, what a pathetic statement... I would give you a free advice to always put a reason with your statements so people can related if it holds any weight.
This guy is India's embarrassment.
His films are not doing well of late. On the other hand his rivals Salman Khan and Amir Khan are having a ball at the box office. He needs some cheap publicity.