I stand by what I said, says Shah Rukh Khan
Mumbai: Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan on Saturday said he was sad when his daughter called him up abroad to ask if the family would have to leave India owing to the Shiv Sena protests against him.
"My daughter asked me over phone if we will have to leave India," an emotional SRK told a press conference here on his return to Mumbai from London under the shadow of Shiv Sena protest for his remark supporting inclusion of Pakistani players in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
SRK said he stood by what he said (on Pakistani players).
"These are sensitive issues. So you remain silent because of prudence and not fear," he said.
"I stand by what I said."
He said he felt like crying in London as heard the protests back home.
SRK arrived here from London on Saturday amid unprecedented security arrangements in the face of Sena protests and threats to disrupt screening of his new film My Name is Khan. There was security all through his route from airport to his bungalow Mannat.
He also struck a conciliatory note when he said he would call on the Sena chief if invited.
"Let's be gracious. Let's talk it out. I am pro-relationship. I have always gone and met Balasaheb Thackeray whenever he called. I have been to his functions," he told newspersons jostling outside the airport here for his bytes.
Shiv Sena has softened its stand on SRK apparently and has not issued any instruction to protest.
SRK said he would not go and meet Sena chief just for this reason (protest against his new film) on his own but he respects a senior leader like Bal Thackeray and would love to meet him if asked.
"I am what I am for Mumbai. I want every Mumbaikar to be happy. Mumbaikars want me to be happy. It (Mumbai) has given me more reasons to celebrate," SRK said.
SRK also clarified his stand on non-inclusion of Pakistani players in his Kolkata Knight Riders team saying there was only one slot available for his team at the auction (in which all Pakistani players were ignored by all IPL teams).
"There was only one slot available and you cannot take more than that. We wanted Abdul Razzaq but there are rules," he said dismissing that the rejection of Pakistani players was preplanned.
No Shiv Sena supporters were spotted outside the airport or anywhere else in Mumbai to show protest against the actor who refused to apologise to the outfit for his stance on inclusion of Pakistani players in the Indian Premier League (IPL), but police took no chances.
Shahrukh Khan's costar in the film My Name is Khan, Kajol, also arrived with him and she headed home. Kajol had also slammed the Shiv Sena on her Twitter post.
A day before, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also stumped the Shiv Sena by moving around freely in Mumbai and even travelling in a local train despite plans to show him black flags and disrupt his schedule for his "Mumbai for all Indians" stance.
Pushed to the wall by opposition from all quarters, the Shiv Sena apparently decided to back away from their plan to disrupt the release of My Name is Khan in Mumbai.
In an editorial in the party mouthpiece Saamna published Saturday, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray said his party would not oppose the release of My Name is Khan, which brings together the hit pair of SRK and Kajol after eight years.
"Shah Rukh Khan is a traitor but we will not oppose his film," Thackeray reportedly said.
The party had earlier planned to oppose the release of this film.
Shiv Sena would also not be protesting the inclusion of Australian players in the third edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), reports added.
Mumbai: Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan on Saturday said he was sad when his daughter called him up abroad to ask if the family would have to leave India owing to the Shiv Sena protests against him. "My daughter asked me over phone if we will have to leave India," an emotional SRK told a press...
Mumbai: Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan on Saturday said he was sad when his daughter called him up abroad to ask if the family would have to leave India owing to the Shiv Sena protests against him.
"My daughter asked me over phone if we will have to leave India," an emotional SRK told a press conference here on his return to Mumbai from London under the shadow of Shiv Sena protest for his remark supporting inclusion of Pakistani players in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
SRK said he stood by what he said (on Pakistani players).
"These are sensitive issues. So you remain silent because of prudence and not fear," he said.
"I stand by what I said."
He said he felt like crying in London as heard the protests back home.
SRK arrived here from London on Saturday amid unprecedented security arrangements in the face of Sena protests and threats to disrupt screening of his new film My Name is Khan. There was security all through his route from airport to his bungalow Mannat.
He also struck a conciliatory note when he said he would call on the Sena chief if invited.
"Let's be gracious. Let's talk it out. I am pro-relationship. I have always gone and met Balasaheb Thackeray whenever he called. I have been to his functions," he told newspersons jostling outside the airport here for his bytes.
Shiv Sena has softened its stand on SRK apparently and has not issued any instruction to protest.
SRK said he would not go and meet Sena chief just for this reason (protest against his new film) on his own but he respects a senior leader like Bal Thackeray and would love to meet him if asked.
"I am what I am for Mumbai. I want every Mumbaikar to be happy. Mumbaikars want me to be happy. It (Mumbai) has given me more reasons to celebrate," SRK said.
SRK also clarified his stand on non-inclusion of Pakistani players in his Kolkata Knight Riders team saying there was only one slot available for his team at the auction (in which all Pakistani players were ignored by all IPL teams).
"There was only one slot available and you cannot take more than that. We wanted Abdul Razzaq but there are rules," he said dismissing that the rejection of Pakistani players was preplanned.
No Shiv Sena supporters were spotted outside the airport or anywhere else in Mumbai to show protest against the actor who refused to apologise to the outfit for his stance on inclusion of Pakistani players in the Indian Premier League (IPL), but police took no chances.
Shahrukh Khan's costar in the film My Name is Khan, Kajol, also arrived with him and she headed home. Kajol had also slammed the Shiv Sena on her Twitter post.
A day before, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also stumped the Shiv Sena by moving around freely in Mumbai and even travelling in a local train despite plans to show him black flags and disrupt his schedule for his "Mumbai for all Indians" stance.
Pushed to the wall by opposition from all quarters, the Shiv Sena apparently decided to back away from their plan to disrupt the release of My Name is Khan in Mumbai.
In an editorial in the party mouthpiece Saamna published Saturday, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray said his party would not oppose the release of My Name is Khan, which brings together the hit pair of SRK and Kajol after eight years.
"Shah Rukh Khan is a traitor but we will not oppose his film," Thackeray reportedly said.
The party had earlier planned to oppose the release of this film.
Shiv Sena would also not be protesting the inclusion of Australian players in the third edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), reports added.
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