The alleged rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata has ignited a heated discussion about women's safety in India, with numerous celebrities and actors expressing their outrage. Amidst this, some of Shah Rukh Khan's past comments have resurfaced online, sparking further debate. While the actor has previously emphasised the importance of educating young men on how to treat women, an older interview reveals a contrasting remark where he mentioned that he’d teach his son, Aryan Khan, to be a ‘playboy.’
What Shah Rukh Khan said:
Back in 2013, during the promotion of his film 'Chennai Express' in Kolkata, Shah Rukh Khan addressed the media and defended the city against claims of being unsafe for women. He remarked, “This is very personal. You can’t pick on a city because it’s easiest to blame the system… The whole country, the whole world actually has issues as far as safety of women is concerned.”
This statement came in response to rising incidents of crime against women in Kolkata. He further added, “We can always turn around and say that it’s sad… but I think the younger people, and I feel I am young, we must change the concept of how we bring up our children at home. The thing is the mentality of not telling the boys how to be gentle, and good and respectful. So I have started doing that.”
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SRK on his conversation around girls with son Aryan
Shah Rukh also shared how he personally approaches the subject with his son, Aryan, saying, “When I talk to my son about girls, I don’t talk about girlfriends. I tell him: ‘Don’t break a girl’s heart, treat it gently and there is no way that you can look at an atrocity done on a woman and if you do that you will not be forgiven by your father and mother’. So we should start from there.” At the time, Shah Rukh Khan was serving as Kolkata’s state ambassador and co-owner of the IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders.
In 2017, Shah Rukh once again spoke out against violence towards women, this time in response to questions at a charity event. He stated, “It is completely wrong. I feel mothers and fathers should teach their sons how to respect women. All women as daughters or mothers are close to my heart. It’s high time we realise and make sure that they are the most respected people on the planet. They are god’s creations. Irrespective of their field, they should be respected.”
In an interview with 'Femina' in 2017, he reiterated his stance, saying, “I tell Aryan and even AbRam never hurt a woman. If you do, I’ll behead you. And no, times have not changed. A girl is not your chaddi-buddy. Show some respect.”
What SRK said in old interview
However, in a much earlier interview on Simi Garewal’s talk show, Shah Rukh made a statement that contrasts with his later comments. In a video shared by a Reddit user, Shah Rukh is seen saying about Aryan, “I have just told him (Aryan Khan) that he can run after girls, can smoke as much as he wants, can do drugs, have sex, can womanize… he should enjoy everything. I have told all my heroines that you will have daughters, and my son will be running after them. Every day I want complaints from all of them saying, ‘Please keep your son out of our houses and our daughters’ lives.’ I want him to spoil the whole of the city. All the girls. I want him to be a playboy.”