Mumbaikars say that the actor is trying to play it safe to attract audience for his latest movie ‘Dilwale’.
Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan finally apologised for his statement about intolerance two days before the release of his film Dilwale. The actor went into damage control mode after MNS had asked people to boycott his latest film for his failure to help drought hit farmers. There were several groups on social networking sites asking people to avoid watching Dilwale. Even though Shah Rukh claimed that he has not taken this step to promote his movie but Mumbaikars said that the actor is trying to play it safe to attract audience for his movie. Earlier Shah Rukh had taken a firm stand by saying that intolerance exists in the country.
The King Khan of Bollywood had earlier supported the authors and artists who returned their awards protesting against the growing intolerance in the country.
He also had come forward in support of Aamir Khan who too had spoken about the same topic. Both the actors had received flak from people for speaking about their views on intolerance. Even BJP leaders had criticised Shah Rukh for his intolerance remark.
Apologising for his remarks on intolerance Shah Rukh said, “There is no intolerance in India, all is fine. I tell my children that don’t make judgements about religion and other small issues. These are normal things and everybody does that. But sometimes, people quote out of context. This doesn’t mean there is intolerance for me in the country.”
He added, ‘those of you who want to watch it can happily go and those who don’t, it’s also fine’.
Sudhir Seth a Kandivali resident said, “Actors can go to any extent to promote their movies. Shah Rukh had earlier spoken about intolerance to gain publicity and now he has taken a ‘U’ turn on this issue prior to the release of his film Dilwale.”
Sameer Wadekar, a Borivali resident said, “People are aware that actors want publicity for their latest film so they will resort to such cheap gimmicks to attract attention. I have already stopped watching Shah Rukh Khan’s movies as they don’t make any sense.”
Sunil Kulkarni, a Malad resident said, “There has already been too much debate over this issue in media so why should Shah Rukh bring it once again on the forefront? According to me, people are not interested in debating about such topics and want development and employment.”
Rahul Singh, a Dahisar resident said, “Even parliament has been disrupted due to the intolerance discussion. Shah Rukh could have adopted other strategies like participating in reality shows, music shows to promote his movie.”
Earlier the MNS-affiliated Chitrapat Karmachari Sena had appealed to people to boycott Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Dilwale, alleging that the actor “ignored the plight of farmers reeling under severe drought”.
“Farmers in Maharashtra, specially in Marathwada, are reeling under drought. Khan, who has been residing in the state and has made a lot of money, has not helped farmers in distress,” MNS Chitrapat Karmachari Sena chief Amey Khopkar said.
“When his help is needed, he isn’t forthcoming,” Khopkar said.
