Being Silent? Salman Khan not 'aware' of Shah Rukh Khan's remarks on intolerance

Superstar Salman Khan today refused to be drawn into the debate over BJP leaders' attack on his contemporary Shah Rukh Khan for his "extreme intolerance" comment. Salman, who was in the capital to promote his upcoming film "Prem Ratan Dhan Payo", was asked about the "feeling of intolerance" in the country and BJP MP Yogi Adityanath comparing Shah Rukh to Pakistani terrorist Hafiz Saeed.

The 49-year-old actor, steering clear of making a direct comment on the issue, said, "This is a wrong forum for that... We are here to promote 'Prem Ratan Dhan Payo'. But I will answer your question. My mother is Sushila Charak, my father is Salim Khan."

Salman added he was not "aware" of Shah Rukh's remarks on intolerance and hence could not answer the question. When pressed for his reaction, his film's co-star Sonam Kapoor interjected and insisted answering on his behalf. "I should answer this question. Anything that is intolerant or that is said without complete evidence is unacceptable so people just saying things in the name of religion, class, creed is disgusting and I think we should rest what we have to say at that point," the actress said before asking the media to talk about "Prem Ratan Dhan Payo".

"We should be talking about 'Prem Ratan Dhan Payo' as this is a film about love, tolerance, brother and sister relationship and I think Salman answered it really really well," Sonam added. "We all are here, does it make a difference? Who is sitting here... does it matter to you? You asked me a question. It did not matter. We all are Indians," Salman said.

Sonam again came to the actor's rescue when he was asked to react on filmmakers and writers returning their awards in protest against intolerance in the country. "I don't know if anybody knows but Salman never goes for award function. Even if he goes, he does not take any," the actress answered.

When asked that Shah Rukh claimed recently he was ready to give back his award if needed, Salman added in jest that the actor always gets him in a fix. "He says something and then I have to come and (explain)." When again asked, if there is an atmosphere of intolerance in the country, Salman dodging the question, shot back at the reporter, asking her "personal view" on the matter. The journalist in question replied, "I don't believe it is there and it is a created atmosphere," to which the "Bajrangi Bhaijaan" actor said, "Then don't create it further... If you think it is created, don't do that... You are creating it."

"I opened Being Human... We don't go asking people, who they are and where they are from. I don't believe in this at all. I believe if I am working with Sonam, she is working with me... I am answering your question, you all are here and I am sure you are from different beliefs and we all are under one roof then why create it? Don't create it."