Shah Rukh Khan

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan turned 50 on Monday and added his voice to growing protests by the intelligentsia over “climate of intolerance,” saying there was “extreme intolerance” in the country, The Indian Express reported.

Voicing his feelings over the “growing intolerance” and return of awards by filmakers, scientists and writers, he said he would not hesitate to give up his awards as a “symbolic gesture” if he has to but feels he does not have to do so. Padma Shri is among the awards in Khan’s kitty.

Khan, who has a string of hits from “Baazigar” to “Chennai Express” over a career spanning 27 years, was flooded with birthday wishes from his friends and colleagues including Salman Khan and hailed as an “energetic and inspiring” actor.

“There is intolerance, there is extreme intolerance … there is I think… there is growing intolerance,” Khan said.

Asked whether he will give up his Padma Shri award, Khan responded, “I mean just for a symbolic gesture, yes, if I have to.”

At the same time, he said, “respect those who returned awards, but I don’t have to.”

“People put words into the air even before thinking and here is a secular country. Here is a country perhaps for the last 10 years that is on the cusp of going beyond what we think,” Khan said.

Khan came out to greet his fans, who had gathered outside his bungalow “Mannat” since early in the morning, and later took to Facebook to say that he is humbled by the love showered on him by his admirers.

“Right now so humbled by the attention and love being given to my birthday. Didn’t ever realize living will be so beautiful. Thanks all,” an emotional Khan posted.

Khan has starred in films like “Baazigar”, “Darr”, “Yes Boss”, “Pardes”, “Dil To Pagal Hai”, “Dil Se”, “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai”, “Mohabbatein”, “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham”, “Kal Ho Naa Ho”, “Veer-Zara”, “Swades”, “Om Shanti Om”, “Chennai Express” and “Happy New Year” among others.

Leading the wishes on social media was the superstar’s wife Gauri Khan, who posted a picture of Khan cutting his birthday cake.

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