‘I’m Shah Rukh Khan. I want to speak to you’: Assam CM recalls actor’s message after he said he didn’t know him

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma recalled that actor Shah Rukh Khan messaged him introducing himself after he said he didn’t know him. As per the news agency ANI, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said that he didn’t know Shah Rukh but ‘know film stars of my time’. Talking about the actor’s message, the CM added that Shah Rukh wanted to talk with him. (Also Read | Shah Rukh Khan surprises fans outside Mannat, greets them with his signature pose; fans hail ‘last of the stars’)

Recently, the CM had said, “who is Shahrukh Khan? I don’t know anything about him or his film Pathaan”. He was responding to queries by reporters about the violent protest by activists, who held a demonstration in front of a theatre in Narengi last week, where the actor’s film Pathaan is slated to be screened.

As quoted by the news agency ANI, the Assam CM said on Monday, “I know film stars of my time. I didn’t know Shah Rukh. He sent a message and introduced himself- ‘I’m Shah Rukh Khan. I want to speak to you’. I didn’t have time then. So later at 2 am, we spoke and I told him that there’ll be no disturbance in Assam (regarding movie Pathaan).”

The Assam CM had said that Shah Rukh talked to him over the phone early on Sunday and expressed concern over a protest against Pathaan in Guwahati. He had assured the actor that his government will enquire about the demonstration against the movie and ensure that “no such untoward incidents” would occur again. “Bollywood actor Shri @iamsrk called me and we talked today morning at 2 am. He expressed concern about an incident in Guwahati during screening of his film. I assured him that it’s duty of state govt to maintain law & order. We’ll enquire and ensure no such untoward incidents,” CM Sarma said on Twitter.

Pathaan has been facing a backlash from a few groups for showing Deepika Padukone in a saffron bikini in the song Besharam Rang. A section of the people has demanded a ban on the film and also held protests across the country.

Pathaan, which has been directed by Siddharth Anand, will be released on January 25. The film is a part of Aditya Chopra’s ambitious spy universe. Apart from Shah Rukh, the film also stars Deepika Padukone, John Abraham, Dimple Kapadia, and Ashutosh Rana in pivotal roles. It is set to release in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu.