Shah Rukh speaks on Mumbai terror attacks

Shah Rukh Khan has finally come out to speak his heart against the Mumbai terror attacks and its aftermath. In an interview with NDTV's Group Editor Barkha Dutt, the Bollywood superstar gave his views on the attacks and the importance of using anger in a constructive way. He also spoke on Islam as a practising Muslim, India's handling of Pakistan and about changing the system.

In the interview Shah Rukh Khan said he was shocked, disturbed and immensely saddened by the Mumbai terror attacks. But he was also concerned about the aftermath and how people were talking about the whole event, which could aggravate the situation.

"Yes I think there should be a volatile, angry, frustrated, perhaps even cynical aggressive reaction to this. But I'm very clear - when you are frustrated, when you are angry about something, you should hold it back and keep it inside you and then use it as what I call constructive aggression." So was this the reason why King Khan stayed away from making a public comment? He says, "I felt I want to stay away from this for a while. I would say this not as a movie star but as an ordinary citizen of this country and I think also as a secular Muslim. If I say anything it should not be treated as, 'oh look a film star is talking'. I'm scared of that, I'm worried about that every time," he says.

Talking at length on terrorism, King Khan also tried to come up with reasons why India has been attacked time and again by terrorists. He feels that the reason for terrorism against the country is three-fold. First, terrorism is always against India's secularism, secondly, the dignity of this country irks the terrorists and thirdly, the economy of the country also irks them. He reasons, "Why does a terrorist attack? They can't take over our city, they can't take over the country by this and I fully believe that secularism is something that is strong in our country, in its people. Only when that is thwarted can the beauty of this country be attakced." He adds, "Hindus and Muslims have stayed together in this country for years and we will continue to do so. It's an amazingly secular place and amazingly democratic place. Maybe we are too democratic at times."

Shah Rukh also talked about imbibing secularism from the grass roots. So how did he explain the terror attacks to his kids. He says, "Perhaps we don't need to explain to our children what was happening. The only thing I can explain is how to pray now. This is the only thing I did with my children the nights these attacks were going on." He adds, "We all believe in the oneness of God and this is what I have been teaching my kids now. If I try to explain to them that I'm a Muslim and your mother is a Hindu and we have different ways of doing things, I think that will be wrong. I don't want them to be misled."

Like every secular Muslim, Shah Rukh also finds it hard to digest when he is asked to take a stand on such issues as terror or prove his secularism. He says, "Now when you say you need to take a stand, that makes me a little angry. I have been brought up in a Hindu atmosphere in Delhi, my wife is a Hindu, I read the Quran, I do the namaz, I love the religion." But the star actor also accepts the fact most of the terror attacks in the world are carried out by Muslims. "That's a truth that you have to face. The only way to face it is, yes they are Muslims but they don't understand Islam properly," he opines.

The Bollywood superstar also stressed the importance of changing the system by entering it. He finds political bashing too simplistic and also feels that anger can be utilised in a better way. "Don't use so much steam on the politician with the placards that you don't end up doing anything about it." He adds, "My father used to tell me, if you think politicians are not doing their jobs, then become a politician. Unfortunately I have become an actor. If you are not happy with the system, get into the system and try doing something about it."

Shah Rukh also commented on terror tourism and the controversial Taj Hotel visit by former CM Vilasrao Deshmukh accompanied by filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma. He opines, "It is wrong. I think enough punishment has been meted out. The CM has been picked on that. But let's not carry this forward. That's not the important part. The important part is that the Indians lost their lives."

He also spoke on how India should handle Pakistan especially after the Mumbai attacks. He explains, "Pakistan should clarify whatever issues we have. If we say these guys are from your country, they have been training there and if we have proof, it should also come forward because that country has also been ravaged by similar attacks. I'm assuming they are also suffering from the same organizations. If they can take charge of the situation they should ask for an outsider, American or India."

Shah Rukh does realise the importance of preaching non-violence among the youth, but also feels that one should be more realistic. He says, "I don't think my kids are going to offer the other cheek and I think they should not. If you get slapped, you should get the other guy to say I'm sorry, I won't slap you again."