Shah Rukh Khan’s ascent in Bollywood coincided with a period when the Mumbai underworld’s presence in the film business was a serious concern. Filmmakers and actors faced threats and demands, while alleged interference in financing and casting had also become a subject of scrutiny. Filmmaker Sanjay Gupta has now recalled how Shah Rukh responded when he was threatened, saying the actor categorically refused to work under pressure.
Speaking on the Hussain Zaidi Files podcast, Sanjay claimed Shah Rukh’s response was so firm that he eventually earned the respect of those threatening him.
Sanjay Gupta Recalls Shah Rukh Khan’s Response To Threats
“The only guy in the film industry, Shah Rukh Khan, when he was threatened, he said, ‘I will never do the film or
show, I am a Pathaan, just shoot me if you want’. I am not scared of you, but I will not work with you and not do shows for you. He actually earned their respect. They also must have felt that there’s at least one person…” Sanjay said.
While Shah Rukh refused to give in, the threats had serious security implications. The actor remained under heavy security and police protection for three years following the incidents.
Shah Rukh Had Earlier Spoken About Receiving Death Threats
Shah Rukh himself addressed the threats during an old interview with comedian and actor Ruby Wax. He spoke about how pressure could allegedly be exerted on actors to accept film projects.
“They would set up a system, and they would say you do it. I may not have succumbed to it, but then they shoot you. So, sometimes it’s nice to do a film,” he said.
Wax then asked, “You’re seriously saying someone calls you and says be in my film or I’ll blow your head off?”
Shah Rukh nodded before replying, “Not as nicely as you’re saying it.”
Asked whether he had personally received death threats, the actor confirmed that it had happened more than once. “Oh yes, on many occasions… I had a lot of security for three years,” he said.
When Shah Rukh Khan Reportedly Received A Call From Abu Salem
Film critic Anupama Chopra documented Shah Rukh’s encounters with the underworld in her book King of Bollywood: Shah Rukh Khan and the Seductive World of Indian Cinema. Her account mentioned gangsters Abu Salem, Chhota Rajan and Chhota Shakeel.
According to Chopra, concerns about Shah Rukh’s safety intensified in 1997 while he was working on Mahesh Bhatt’s Duplicate. Senior Maharashtra police officer Rakesh Maria, who had been involved in the investigation into the 1993 Mumbai blasts, reportedly informed Bhatt about a possible threat to Shah Rukh. The actor was subsequently assigned a personal bodyguard.
Chopra also wrote about an alleged phone conversation between Shah Rukh and Abu Salem. According to her account, Salem abused the actor after he declined to work in a film backed by a producer close to the gangster.
Shah Rukh was reportedly “depressed and scared” by the situation but remained composed during the conversation. When Salem continued pushing him to accept a particular project, the actor reportedly replied, “I don’t tell you who to shoot so don’t tell me which film to do.”
Karan Johar Recalled Shah Rukh Standing By Him During Threats
Karan Johar has also written about Shah Rukh’s response to underworld threats in his autobiography An Unsuitable Boy. Karan recalled receiving threats before the release of his directorial debut, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.
According to Karan, Shah Rukh refused to allow the threat to stop him. “Shah Rukh said, ‘What nonsense!’ He went inside and dragged me out. He said, ‘I’m standing here in front of you. Let’s see who shoots you. I’m standing right here,’” Karan wrote.
The filmmaker also recalled Shah Rukh reassuring his mother.
“I’m a Pathan. Nothing can happen to me and nothing will happen to your son. He’s like my brother. Nothing’s gonna happen,” Shah Rukh reportedly told her.
Bollywood’s Underworld Problem In The 1990s
Bollywood’s alleged links with Mumbai’s underworld had existed for years, but the issue became particularly prominent during the late 1980s and 1990s. The period saw allegations surrounding film financing, interference in projects and intimidation of members of the industry.
The murder of music baron Gulshan Kumar in 1997 brought further attention to the dangers confronting Bollywood figures at the time.
The alleged nexus again came under scrutiny during the Chori Chori Chupke Chupke case in 2001. Financier Bharat Shah and producer Nazim Rizvi were arrested over alleged links to gangster Chhota Shakeel.
