When Shah Rukh Khan was called out for endorsing soft drinks: “If you think it’s bad for children, ban it,” Watch

SRK endorsing soft drink

Shah Rukh Khan, Bollywood's megastar, has often faced public criticism, especially for endorsing products like soft drinks, which some believe are harmful to children.

In a resurfaced video on Instagram, Shahrukh was seen having a candid interview with CNN, the actor addressed these concerns and expressed his perspective in a way that sparked a viral conversation on social media. His response was both bold and logical, urging authorities to take responsibility for regulating harmful products, rather than putting the blame on him as an actor promoting them.

During the interview, Shah Rukh Khan acknowledged the criticism he received for endorsing soft drinks, but he quickly redirected the focus towards the role of the government in controlling the sale of such products if they are indeed deemed harmful. “If you think it’s bad for children, ban it,” he stated emphatically.

Shah Rukh went on to draw a comparison between soft drinks and other harmful substances like cigarettes, pointing out the contradiction in government policies. He highlighted the fact that although smoking is known to be harmful, cigarette production continues because it generates substantial revenue for the government.

"Smoking is bad – don’t let the production of cigarettes go on in this country. If you think cold drinks are bad, do not let them. If it’s poisoning our people, do not let it be made in India," he mentioned.

The actor also shared his thoughts on the government's reluctance to stop the sale of these products due to the financial benefits they provide.

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"See, my logic is, you are not stopping it because it gives you revenue. Let’s be honest about it. You’re not stopping certain products if you think they’re harmful, but they’re revenue to the government. Don’t stop my revenue. I’m an actor. I’m supposed to do a job and get revenue from it," Shah Rukh explained.

His statement was an acknowledgment of his profession, where endorsements form a part of his livelihood, and he sees no harm in it if the product is legally available.

Moreover, the topic of censoring smoking scenes in films was also discussed, with Shah Rukh taking a strong stance against it. He questioned where such restrictions might end, suggesting that limiting artistic expression could lead to greater censorship in the future.

"The whole larger issue is that today smoking, tomorrow what? And where does it go ahead with this?" he asked, pointing to the broader implications of curbing creativity in cinema. He emphasized that the audience today is sophisticated enough to distinguish between on-screen portrayals and real-life behaviors. "An art form should be left alone. I truly believe that the Indian masses are literate enough to know that there’s no more Humphrey Bogart kind of smoking, no more that you will start smoking because an actor does," Shah Rukh remarked.

On the work front, Shah Rukh Khan was last seen in Rajkumar Hirani's Dunki, which received widespread acclaim. He is now preparing for his upcoming film, tentatively titled King. This much-anticipated project will feature his daughter Suhana Khan, as well as Abhishek Bachchan, marking another exciting chapter in the actor’s illustrious career. As always, Shah Rukh Khan continues to speak his mind, balancing his responsibilities as an actor with his views on societal issues, making him not just a Bollywood icon but also a voice of reason in today's world.