Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan reportedly refused to bow to underworld pressure during the 1990s, when the film industry was facing threats and interference from criminal networks. Filmmaker Sanjay Gupta recently recalled the period and said that Shah Rukh was among the few who stood firm despite receiving threats.
Speaking on the Hussain Zaidi Files YouTube channel, Gupta described the underworld’s influence over Bollywood at its peak. He said actors, directors and other people connected to the film industry were considered soft targets, with several incidents creating fear across the industry.
According to Gupta, many leading actors and actresses were pressured to sign papers for films that were allegedly being planned by underworld figures. Members of these networks would also reportedly visit film sets and watch shoots.
However, Gupta said Shah Rukh Khan took a different approach when he was threatened. Recalling the actor’s response, he said Shah Rukh refused to work on films or shows demanded by them and allegedly told them, “Pathaan hoon, goli maar do.”
Gupta said Shah Rukh’s firm stand eventually earned him the respect of those threatening him. According to the filmmaker, the actor made it clear that he was not afraid but would not work for the underworld or participate in their shows.
The issue of underworld pressure on Bollywood has also been discussed by filmmaker Farah Khan. In an earlier podcast appearance, she acknowledged that leading stars faced pressure during the 1990s. She recalled an incident surrounding the premiere of Duplicate or Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, saying that filmmaker Karan Johar had received an underworld threat.
The threat reportedly created uncertainty over whether the premiere should go ahead, with people discussing the possibility of cancelling the event.
Shah Rukh Khan had already become a major star by the 1990s. After beginning his career on television, he made his Bollywood debut with Deewana in 1992 and quickly established himself as one of Hindi cinema’s biggest stars.
Over the years, he has delivered several major hits and continued to remain one of Bollywood’s most prominent actors. Following Pathaan and Jawan in 2023, he is now preparing for his next major release, Siddharth Anand’s King, which is scheduled to arrive in December 2026.
The filmmaker’s latest comments have once again brought attention to the difficult period when Bollywood faced considerable pressure from the underworld.
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