"What has happened to Shahrukh is unfortunate. I have seen the interview. I feel people are taking advantage of his statement and making it an issue," actor Riteish Deshmukh said on the sidelines of Mumbai Film Festival here today.
Echoing his sentiments, filmmaker Sudhir Mishra said, "He (Shahrukh) is a big actor. He is an icon. He talks things softly. It is important to listen to him. He needs to be listened and not abused".
Actress Esha Gupta said, "He is an Indian actor who represents India internationally. One should not look into religious things".
On his 50th birthday, Shah Rukh Khan had said that "there is extreme intolerance in India", apparently against the backdrop of incidents like Dadri lynching and killing of rationalists.
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Shahrukh's lament on "growing intolerance" angered BJP members like party general secretary Kailash Vijaywargiya and MP Yogi Adityanath.
However, several people came out in support of SRK including leaders from parties like Shiv Sena, BJP and Congress besides film personalities.