New Delhi: Shah Rukh Khan caught in selfie drama at Joy Awards 2026. A fan’s excited phone grab on stage sparks online firestorm – was it a rude snub or a smart
protocol move? Video goes viral as netizens clash: arrogance or just doing his job?
As opinions clash online, the King of Bollywood once again finds himself at the centre of a heated discussion. Read the full story to know what really happened and why the internet can’t stop talking about it.
SRK’s stage moment
Shah Rukh Khan attended the Joy Awards 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, rubbing shoulders with global stars like Millie Bobby Brown and Katy Perry. A viral video from Threads shows a fan next to him on stage pulling out a phone for a selfie. Smiling, SRK took the phone away and gestured for the fan to face the official cameraperson ahead. He handed it back after, then guided another fan to do the same before presenting a trophy.
The clip’s caption noted: “A video from the Joy Awards in Saudi Arabia is making rounds online, where a fan tried to take a selfie with Shah Rukh Khan, and SRK gently took the phone away. While some people are calling it arrogance, others feel moments like these are often misunderstood. In crowded, high-security events, even small interactions can look different from what they really are. As always, opinions are divided—what do you think?”
Fans rally behind SRK
Internet users quickly defended the actor, calling out a poor understanding of event rules. One fan commented, “Are they stupid? He’s telling them someone else will take the picture, that way the prize can be seen too… They’re not smart enough to see something so obvious.” Another wrote, “He is clearly telling, ‘Take a picture from the front’ so that the picture will be clearer.” A third added, “He is following protocol and telling them the same. Why take a selfie on stage with an award when there is a cameraman?”
Protocol over personal pics
Supporters stressed stage etiquette at formal awards. A Threads user explained, “SRK was following the protocol of the event, wherein he is supposed to click an official photo while presenting the award to the awardee. However, people got excited to be in the same stage and frame as SRK and started clicking personal selfies. He just stopped them from doing the same and finished his obligations. No need to troll him for doing his duty.” Another fan noted, “We are so used to not following basic civic sense that now we criticise someone trying to follow that, when you are on stage for an award, you don’t click personal selfies to ruin official photographs. Imagine anyone clicking personal selfies while on stage receiving Oscar, IIFA, etc., then you’ll understand.”
Why selfies don’t fit
Fans highlighted professional photography’s edge. One remarked, “He’s receiving an award. There are photos being taken by professional photographers. They will be better than a selfie from any phone in the world. Selfies have their own place, and it’s certainly not on a stage while receiving awards.” A social media user agreed, “He’s actually teaching him how to be decent. With the way he’s presenting the award, he’s not really supposed to click a selfie like that on one stage. That’s what I think I saw.”
Event highlights
SRK shared on X about his fun meet-up with Turki Alalshikh, chairperson of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority: “Always fun and happiness to come, my friend. And the function was spectacular and very grand. Congratulations on half a decade of #JoyAwards.” Next, fans await his action thriller King, directed by Siddharth Anand. It stars Suhana Khan, Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan, and Akshay Oberoi, produced by Red Chillies Entertainment and Marflix Pictures.
