‘I am a Pathan': Sanjay Gupta recalls Shah Rukh Khan's defiant response to Mumbai underworld

MUMBAI – Renowned Bollywood filmmaker Sanjay Gupta has recalled the underworld's influence over the Indian film industry in the 1990s, making a striking revelation about superstar Shah Rukh Khan. In a recent interview, Gupta, who said he witnessed the era firsthand, described a time when fear of Mumbai's underworld was at its peak and film stars, directors and other industry figures were not immune to its influence. According to the filmmaker, leading actors and actresses were often pressured to sign specific films, while individuals linked to the underworld would sometimes visit film sets and watch shooting sessions. Gupta said Shah Rukh Khan was among the few prominent personalities who refused to bow to such pressure. He recalled that when Khan was allegedly threatened and pressured to work in certain films or shows, the actor took a firm stand and refused to comply. According to Gupta, Khan made it clear that he would neither work in a film nor appear in a show at their insistence. Gupta attributed a bold response to the actor, saying Khan had allegedly told those threatening him: 'I am a Pathan. If you want to shoot me, go ahead. I am not afraid of you.' The filmmaker's recollection sheds light on the difficult environment faced by Bollywood personalities during the 1990s, when criminal networks were widely reported to have attempted to exert influence over the film industry. The decade was marked by reports of threats, extortion and pressure involving prominent figures from Bollywood. Several filmmakers and actors faced security concerns during that period. Gupta's comments have once again brought attention to the challenges faced by the Indian film industry during an era when the influence of Mumbai's underworld was considered a major concern. The remarks, however, represent Gupta's recollection of events, and the specific details of the alleged exchange between Khan and the individuals involved could not be independently verified.