While the viewers have some other things to say about Dilwale’s slowed down collection from Monday, Shahrukh Khan has his own share of excuse. Shahrukh viewed that the box office collection of his film “Dilwale” was adversely affected as its screening was stopped in some places by those who “misinterpreted” and “misconstrued” his comments on intolerance in the country.
Agonised over the protests against the film, Shahrukh said it made him sad when his work could not reach the people as that was the only way he could return the people’s “love” for him, and appealed to his fans to watch and enjoy the movie.
“At some point of time, I do regret people could not understand what I said. It was not represented properly. If anybody feels bad about it, I regret it completely.
“I just want to wish that all the people who wish to see the film on their own, please go out and see it. Don’t get misled by people who perhaps misconstrued what I am saying, so I regret that this has happened. I feel extremely sad,” Shahrukh said at a media conference where he had come to promote ‘Dilwale’.
“I apologise if somebody got disturbed, please go out and enjoy the film because it’s not me, there are thousands who have made it with a lot of love.”
Angered by Shahrukh’s statement on ‘religious intolerance’, Bajrang Dal activists opposed the film’s screening in Araria and Patna districts of Bihar. Protests also took place in Ghaziabad, Varanasi, Jabalpur and many places in Rajasthan.
The actor, who turned 50 recently, was clad in a black suit and was accompanied by his “Dilwale” co-star Kajol, who was wearing a black saree.
Shahrukh said the ‘intolerance’ controversy has hit box-office collections of the movie in some parts of the country.
“I can’t deny the fact that I’ve been reading messages on Whatsapp. I’ve been reading messages on social media, and even on ground that there has been activity all over the country, where the film has been stopped, and not allowed.
“Yes, box office collections have been hit, I don’t know exactly the places. But they have been,” he said.
“I have been an actor for 25 years in this country. I would like to say I received love from every corner of the country, in spite of religion, region, caste, creed, gender.
