Throwback: Does Shah Rukh Khan think Pakistanis are the best in T20? 

As the clock ticks down to the release of his highly anticipated film ‘Jawan’ on September 7, Bollywood’s beloved superstar, Shah Rukh Khan, is making headlines for reasons beyond the silver screen. While SRK has recently chosen to eschew media interviews for film promotions, an old interview has resurfaced, showcasing the actor’s candid views on the exclusion of Pakistani players from the Indian Premier League (IPL). 

SRK urges people to keep politics away from sports 

In a bygone conversation with a news channel, Shah Rukh Khan didn’t mince his words when discussing the absence of Pakistani players in the IPL. He unequivocally stated, “I am not giving an excuse, and I truly believe Pakistani players are the best T20 players in the world. They are the champions. They are wonderful. But somewhere down the line, there is an issue, and we cannot deny it.” 

SRK’s reminiscence took us back to a time when he was closely associated with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the IPL franchise he co-owns. He recalled, “When my team had five Pakistani players in the first year, and there were people saying ‘Aapke paas bohot Pakistani players hain’ (You have too many Pakistani players). Come on, man! Sports should be left alone.” 

The ‘Badshah of Bollywood’ emphasized the importance of keeping sports free from political overtones and biases. He suggested that rather than rushing to judgment, both sides of the issue should be acknowledged. He said, “I think before we react to any of these incidents, we should hold back and say ‘Yeah, there is an issue. Both sides have a point. So let’s keep it easy.” 

SRK’s Pakistani family lineage 

What makes Shah Rukh Khan’s perspective even more poignant is his personal connection to Pakistan. He shared, “My family is from Pakistan, and my father was born there.” This acknowledgement of his roots underscores his belief in fostering harmonious relations between the two countries. 

In conclusion, the ‘Pathaan’ actor advocated for a message of love and camaraderie between India and Pakistan, transcending the often tumultuous political landscape. He expressed his desire for a more amicable approach, saying, “Can we just circumvent all that is said about India and Pakistan by politicians and anybody else, and say ‘It’s a great neighbour to have; we are great neighbours, they are good neighbours. Let’s just love each other.'”

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