The Yasukuni Shrine, which commemorates over 2.4 million people who died in wars, became controversial after enshrining 14 convicted World War II Japanese war criminals.
Shah Rukh Khan joined the Independence Day celebrations on social media with a heartfelt message centred on what it means to be Indian. As the country marks its 80th Independence Day, the superstar shared a photograph of himself with the national flag in the background and used the occasion to reflect on India’s diversity, shared identity and collective responsibility.
Rather than limiting his message to a conventional Independence Day greeting, Shah Rukh spoke about the sense of belonging that binds together a country as vast and varied as India. His post touched upon the many contrasts that exist within the nation while celebrating the feeling of being part of something larger than oneself.
Shah Rukh Khan celebrates the spirit of India
Sharing the photograph on Instagram, Shah Rukh wrote, “A very Happy Independence Day to all.. There’s something special about being Indian…the colours, the contrasts, the beautiful differences, the spirit and above all, the feeling of belonging to something much bigger than ourselves…our Country. May we always value what we have and do our little bit to make our country proud. Proud to be an Indian and love being one. Jai Hind!”
The actor’s words underline an idea that has often been associated with India’s identity: its ability to bring together vastly different cultures, languages, traditions and ways of life under one national identity. By drawing attention to the country’s “colours, contrasts” and “beautiful differences”, Shah Rukh highlighted diversity as an essential part of the Indian experience.
His message also moved beyond celebration to responsibility. The appeal to “do our little bit” suggests that patriotism is not simply about expressing pride in the country, but also about contributing to it in everyday life.
A message about belonging and responsibility
For Shah Rukh, the occasion was also an opportunity to emphasise gratitude for what India represents to its citizens. His reference to being part of something “much bigger than ourselves” placed the focus on a collective sense of identity rather than individual achievement.
The actor has frequently spoken about his relationship with India and the significance of its diversity, making the Independence Day post another expression of that sentiment. His latest message comes as Bollywood celebrities across social media mark the national occasion with greetings and reflections of their own.
Ending with “Proud to be an Indian and love being one”, Shah Rukh kept his message personal while making it inclusive. His final “Jai Hind!” served as a simple conclusion to a post that celebrated India’s differences while underlining the shared feeling that connects them.
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On Saif Ali Khan’s birthday, Filmfare’s Editor-in-Chief Jitesh Pillaai revisits the many shades of an actor who has never been afraid to reinvent himself. From the romantic hero of the 90s to the nuanced, unconventional roles that followed, Saif’s journey has been one of curiosity, risk and quiet reinvention.
In his words:
Just a fortnight before we met, he had a runaway marriage to Amrita Singh. Understandably, his parents were upset. Saif Ali Khan was 22 or thereabouts. So I met him as a rookie reporter. He was shooting for an awful film at an even more awful place which stank to high heavens of fish.
He sized me up, made a couple of snarky comments and then chatted away happily. It was a good interview, I remember.
Saif always appeared sussegaad to me. Not for him, the crazy swirl of hectic movie business. He chose to be far from the madding crowd, shining deliciously in films like Dil Chahta Hai (2001), Ek Hasina Thi (2004), Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003), Being Cyrus (2005), Omkara (2006).
His most recent turn in Sacred Games has won him hosannas. He plays the weary, anxious, somewhat defeated police officer to plenary perfection.
I suspect marriage to Kareena has made him easier and more amenable to people. Saif’s a good guy, everyone will tell you that. And can talk about everything under the sun. And he’s happy not playing the quintessential movie star when he drops his guard.
There is art and technique. When he’s good, he’s terrific. The artlessness that you see on screen has hours of understanding and processing. And he travels light so it’s easy for him not to make heavy weather about the process of acting. And he’s also deliciously ironic. Every encounter with Saif leaves me hysterical; his off-the-cuff remarks are a hoot! I think he would be perfect at making up memes. If sarcasm and easy wit had a soulmate, that would be Mr Khan.
Happy birthday, Saif. Walk on the sometimes mild, sometimes wild side always. And kick up some more dust.
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