New Delhi: Bollywood’s ‘King Khan,’ Shah Rukh Khan, is once again in the headlines, but this time, it’s for a moment that has delighted his loyal fans and offered a subtle acknowledgment of the long-standing controversy surrounding his endorsement of a pan masala brand.
The incident unfolded at a high-profile wedding in Delhi, where the superstar was performing. A video from the event quickly went viral, capturing a slightly awkward—yet ultimately charming—exchange between SRK and one of the wedding guests, reportedly the bride herself. The guest, in an unexpected move, requested that the actor recreate the famous tagline from the contentious Vimal ad, “Bolo Zubaan Kesari.”
For years, Shah Rukh Khan, along with other top stars, has faced intense public and fan scrutiny for endorsing products often associated with ‘gutka’ or chewing tobacco, especially given their massive influence on younger audiences. This particular advertisement has been a major point of discussion, causing discomfort among many of his well-wishers.
However, King Khan handled the request with his signature wit and effortless charm, turning a potentially embarrassing moment into a memorable and respectable one. Initially, SRK laughed off the request, joking that once you work with “gutkha wale,” they never let you live it down. “Ek baar business walon ke sath business kar lo, jaan nahi chorte. Gutka wale bhi na yaar (Once you do business with businessmen, they never let you go. These gutka guys are too much),” he reportedly quipped.
When the guest persisted, the actor politely but firmly refused, suggesting that performing the line requires a fee. “Every time I do it, I take money for it, darling. Please tell this to your father,” he joked, eliciting laughter from the crowd.
He further sealed the refusal with a playful tease, asking the guest, “Are you my fan or Vimal’s fan?”—a clear sign that he knows where his true support lies and is sensitive to the product’s negative association.
The viral video has resonated deeply with his fanbase, who have spent years defending the star amid the advertising backlash. For many, his refusal and subsequent jokes were seen as a subtle but clear way of distancing himself from the promotion without causing a major public stir.
“This is exactly what we wanted to see,” wrote one user on social media. “He is acknowledging the controversy and showing he understands why his fans are upset. King for a reason!” Another commented, “Only SRK can handle being trolled/requested for an awkward ad and still walk away looking like the most respectable star in the room.”
The moment is being celebrated as a win for celebrity accountability and a thoughtful response to fan sentiment. It proves that despite the controversies surrounding the choices of celebrity endorsements, Shah Rukh Khan remains a master of managing public perception, using humour and grace to address his critics and reconnect with his loyal audience. The star’s actions suggest a positive step toward prioritizing his fans’ feelings and his own monumental legacy over an old brand commitment. To know such updates, stay tuned to tellyboosters.com Thank you!
