SRK Calls Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma At 2 AM; He Assures Security Amid Pathaan Row

Dispur: A day after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma asked “who is Shah Rukh Khan” after reporters raised questions on violence at a theatre where the actor’s ‘Pathaan’ will be released, Sarma said that SRK called him at 2 AM on Sunday morning.

“Who is Shahrukh Khan? Himanta Biswa Sarma curtly responded when asked about the violent protest by Bajrang Dal activists who stormed a theatre at Narengi in Guwahati on Friday where the film is scheduled to be screened, “I don’t know anything about him or his film Pathaan. Volunteers from the far-right wing organisation tore down and burned the movie’s posters.

“I reassured him that the state government is responsible for upholding law and order. We’ll investigate to ensure there are no more unfavourable events, the CM tweeted on Sunday.

Since the song Besharam Rang, featuring SRK and Deepika Padukone, was released last month, the movie has courted criticism. Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narrottam Mishra had then protested Padukone’s appearance in the song and demanded a correction. Vinod Bansal, a Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) spokesperson had also objected to the actor’s saffron costume and a few passages in the contentious song and sought their quick repair.

The majority of right-wing organisations have expressed similar disapproval of the song’s use of saffron, which they view as disrespectful to both the party and the “culture of the nation.”

The Siddharth Anand directorial “Pathaan” is set to hit the floors on January 25.