Shah Rukh Khan On Padmaavat Row: Nobody Makes Films To Incite People, Hurt Sentiments of Religion

Mumbai: Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan on Tuesday said celebrities are not scared of expressing their opinion, but if sometimes they choose to remain silent, it is not without a valid reason.

Khan was taking part in a panel discussion on "Media - Shaping the Future and Entertainment" at "Magnetic Maharashtra Convergence 2018" here. 

Asked if the government should take more step to protect the freedom of artistes' expression and whether celebrities should come up with their opinion fearlessly, he stressed that actors are not afraid of speaking their mind.

Citing the recent controversy over Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmaavat where Shri Rajput Karni Sena held violent protests demanding ban on the film, but many film stars did not



express their opinion, Khan said they simply "ignored such non-constitutional people for a greater reason".

He said: "People said why are these big stars are not coming up with their opinion and hiding behind? Honestly, we don't have to hide anywhere. The simple truth is, the more prominent actors talk about them, the more popularity they (Karni Sena) would gain. The ideal action is to ignore them, not to talk about them."

He pointed out that people even said that big stars are busy making money. "But that's not true. We love the society that we are living in and we are creating entertainment for our people. We might at times not voice our opinion, because as a 52-year-old father, I want all the children and family go and watch the film in theatres, safe and sound.