Aamir Khan breaks silence on 'love jihad' allegations against him; speaks on his sisters and daughter's marriages
Bollywood
superstar Aamir Khan has responded to longstanding allegations surrounding his 2014 film PK, which sparked intense public debate due to its depiction of religious practices. Speaking on the television show Aap Ki Adalat, Khan addressed accusations of promoting 'love jihad' and clarified the intention behind the film, which many critics had labelled as anti-religious.
Clarifying the Message of PK
Responding to claims that PK disrespected religion, Aamir Khan firmly stated that the film was not targeted against any faith. According to him, the objective was to shed light on individuals who misuse religion to deceive the common man, often for financial gain. He asserted, 'They're wrong. We're not against any religion. We respect all religions and all religious people. That film just tells us to be cautious of those who exploit religion to fool the common man in order to extract money from them. You'll find people like that in every religion. That was the film's only purpose.'
He also addressed criticism regarding a particular plotline in the film involving a Hindu woman and a Pakistani Muslim man. Highlighting that love across communities should not be immediately linked to any agenda, he explained that people from different religions often fall in love, and such relationships are grounded in humanity, not ideology.
Personal Life Under Scrutiny
Aamir's personal life also came under discussion during the interview. He was questioned about his sisters and daughter marrying Hindu men—decisions that have drawn criticism from some conservative quarters. The actor pointed out that if interfaith marriage is called 'love jihad' when a Muslim man marries a Hindu woman, then the same logic should apply to his family members' marriages as well.
Furthermore, he addressed questions about naming his children, despite their mothers being Hindu. He shared that the names were chosen by his wives, Reena and Kiran, and he did not interfere in those decisions. He elaborated that his daughter Ira's name is a variant of Saraswati and that 'Husbands ki zyada chalti nahi hai.'
On Religion and Patriotism
Facing accusations of mocking Hinduism in his films, Khan reiterated his position, stating, 'I respect every religion. I did not insult Hindu religion in films. I questioned those people who are taking advantage in the name of religion.'
He also tackled criticism from certain Muslim groups who label him a 'kafir' for not adhering strictly to religious customs, such as his family's interfaith marriages. In response, he stated, 'It is not like that. I am a Muslim and I am proud that I am a Muslim. I am an Indian and I am very proud that I am an Indian. Both things are right in their place.'
Condemnation of Terrorism and Praise for Indian Army
The actor was visibly emotional when discussing national security issues, including the Pahalgam attack. He said, 'The whole world should understand that they took the initiative. They killed our people. Is this the way? This is an attack on humanity. They should be ashamed that they did this. No religion says to kill innocent people.' He added that such acts are against Islam and emphasized that terrorists should not be associated with the faith.
Aamir also spoke of his admiration for the Indian Army, recalling how he spent eight days in Kargil after the war to boost the morale of the soldiers.
Khan also addressed the backlash he faced after meeting Turkish First Lady Emine Erdogan during a previous visit. While explaining that diplomatic meetings are part of being a public figure abroad, he acknowledged the hurt caused by Turkey's actions later, particularly their support to Pakistan. He remarked, 'Turkey has done the wrong thing... We extended friendship during their time of need, and in return, they supported Pakistan. Bahut hi galat baat hai.'
Upcoming Film and Certification Delays
Meanwhile, Khan's upcoming film Sitaare Zameen Par is facing a delay in certification by the Central Board of Film Certification. The film, set for a June 20 release, has been put on hold over two suggested edits, which the actor reportedly disagrees with. Directed by R.S. Prasanna, the story revolves around a football coach training a team of specially-abled children, and marks Khan's return to the big screen after Laal Singh Chaddha.
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