Siddharth Anand Addresses Pathaan Controversy At A Media Interaction

Pathaan director Siddharth Anand recently spoke out about the controversy surrounding his action film. The controversy prompted some people to call for a boycott of the film. Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, and John Abraham star in the film. Siddharth stated that his film contained nothing offensive and was a "patriotic film."

Pathaan made headlines after its first song, Besharam Rang, which featured Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika romancing in Spain. Some objected to the lyrics of the songs. Many political leaders objected to the outfits featured in the song, including Deepika's saffron bikini. Many people were outraged because the song allegedly offended their religious beliefs. This sparked protests against the film in various parts of India, as well as boycott calls on social media. Talking to media, Siddharth said, “We’ve had lots of films with big stars that have come out post-pandemic and unfortunately, some of them haven’t worked. But the film has spoken and the film’s intentions have spoken. And the fact that it had nothing offensive, it’s such a patriotic film that it does inspire you. That’s reached the audience – the audience is too smart to get fooled by fake boycott calls.” Shah Rukh Khan recently addressed the issue during the first Pathaan media interaction. He said, "Sabka maksad ek hi hota hai (Everyone has one motive). We should spread happiness, brotherhood, love, kindness, even when I'm playing a bad guy like [in] Darr. Even if I'm playing a Baazigar, even if John is being bad in a film. None of us are bad. We are all playing characters to make you happy. If we say things in the film, none of them are meant to hurt any sentiment or anybody. It is just entertainment." "We love each other, we joke with each other. We have fun with each other. Fun, entertainment should be left at that. Don't take it more seriously. We all are one. All of us are loving each other and trying to make that love spread just to tell you in a very simple manner... this is Deepika Padukone, yeh Amar hain. Main Shah Rukh Khan hoon, main Akbar hoon. Yeh John hain, yeh Anthony hain. And this is what makes cinema," he also added.