When AR Rahman called Shah Rukh Khan ‘Brand Ambassador of Islam’, SRK replied, "I am completely against it, being a model for any religion is..."

When AR Rahman called Shah Rukh Khan ‘Brand Ambassador of Islam’, SRK replied, "I am completely against it, being a model for any religion is not the right..."

• Shah Rukh Khan rejects being called "Ambassador of Islam" by AR Rahman
• He believes religion is a personal matter, not for public symbolism or icons
• Khan's family embraces multiple faiths, giving children freedom of choice.

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Shah Rukh Khan has long been admired not just for his stardom but for the clarity with which he speaks about identity, belief, and coexistence. One such moment that continues to be discussed even years later is when music maestro AR Rahman once referred to the actor as the “Ambassador of Islam,” a label Khan firmly and thoughtfully rejected.

Shah Rukh Khan is often described by fans as more than an actor. For millions across the world, he represents warmth, aspiration, and emotional connection. Yet, when it comes to religion, the Raees actor has consistently drawn a clear line between personal belief and public symbolism. He has never positioned himself as a religious spokesperson, despite being open about his background and family life.

Khan, a Muslim by birth, is married to Gauri Khan, who is Hindu, and the couple has always spoken about raising their children in an environment of choice rather than instruction. Shah Rukh has repeatedly stated that his home celebrates multiple faiths, and that his children are free to follow whichever path resonates with them. For him, belief has always been a deeply personal matter, not a public performance.

Also Read: AR Rahman’s daughters Khatija and Raheema stand by their father amid ‘communal bias’ backlash, say, "disagreement is fine, abuse is not"

In a 2008 interview with The Economic Times, Shah Rukh Khan was asked about AR Rahman calling him the “Ambassador of Islam.” Responding to the remark, the actor said, “First, being a model for any religion is not the right thing to do. That is something I am completely against. Religion is just a language, to seek the truth, and my language is what I’ve been taught, and each language stands as a self-sufficient one. There’s no need to say that my language expresses the truth better than yours.”

He further explained that religion should not revolve around individuals being elevated as icons. “I’m very clear that my message to youngsters would be, there’s no religious icon that you need to follow. We’ve iconic books; we have iconic tenets if we are able to imbibe them, within the perspective of modern education, that is the best way to be,” he said, adding that belief systems must evolve with time. “Obviously, there have to be some changes because the world is different now so you don’t have to marry four times because that is not the call of the day.”

Drawing a deeply emotional analogy, Shah Rukh spoke about how personal faith should remain private. “Read the books, if you want, in English, so long as you understand them better, and keep them close to your heart. Because these are personal things. These are as personal as your father’s spectacles that he has left behind,” he shared. “But I never turn around and say, my father’s specs are better than your father’s specs.”

Concluding his thoughts, the actor summed up his philosophy with striking simplicity. “These are emotional attachments so we just need to keep it personal… Religion to me is as personal as the memories of your parents. And you don’t compare these memories.”

True to his words, Shah Rukh Khan continues to speak only one language above all others: the language of empathy and love.