I'm very proud to be an Indian: Shah Rukh Khan

Film star Shah Rukh Khan spoke to NDTV's Barkha Dutt in an exclusive interview telecast on Sunday. Here are excerpts of what Khan, who has been in the eye of a storm ever since he made a statement that he would have liked to see Pakistani players in the third season of the Indian Premier League, said.

On his return home
When you're not in the house, you hear too many things; you know they are exaggerated; you tend to get worried. You don't have to explain why you love your motherland. I'm very proud [to be an Indian] because my dad was a freedom fighter... I don't have too many principles. I am a good citizen, I pay my taxes. Suddenly, when you are questioned about all this, you get very emotional about it. I have a strange, positive chip on my shoulder.

On Pakistan and terrorism
We cannot start ascribing one, two, ten people's actions to everyone. Let's kill those guys who have harmed India. Those people should be punished. Sports and culture, these are things that will bind this country together.

I totally believe that anyone who is not a terrorist, from anywhere in the world, should not be clubbed together [with terrorists]. By that association, are all Goans rapists? Maybe I'm a coward, but I took a decision and I spoke up. I stand by it. The least we can do is not label other people. I don't think that's nice, logical or democratic.

Being an Indian and a Muslim, I just want to say, let's not overreact. Let's keep some equilibrium, some sanity, and resolve this. Now, [Pakistan] is coming around with international pressure.

On Pakistani players
Bal Thackeray asked why we didn't buy a Pakistani player. I wanted to; the gentleman was hurt. I'm talking about Pakistani players as players, on merit. My captain and coach wanted a player. He hurt himself. We went ahead and took the next best choice.

The stakes are high. If today you try to take a Pakistani player in your team, as a businessman or a team owner, will we be able to play? Will there be a diktat [banning them]? It was just that: visa, NOC, security problems, and the problem that in Mumbai all hell can break loose.

We didn't consider any nationality while picking the players. I can't speak for others [IPL teams].

Are we never gonna play hockey [with Pakistan]? I have to assume, maybe so post-26 11.

On why he did not apologise
What is the fuss about? If I say we should have good relations with everybody... I don't know what to retract. Here, on your show, let me retract... let us have bad relations with everyone.

There is no discussion in this matter. What is the fuss about? What would anyone tell me to retract? Ideologies can be separate. There is no discussion we can have on ideology. I would not like to talk about anybody's ideology. But, yes, I would like a party that is more secular. My ideology is different. If my ideology is different from yours, I wouldn't want a discussion on that. It's not important, just because a few people think differently from us... I'm smart enough to know these are times for agendas. I've never had an ideological discussion with anyone.

I don't know what to retract. I said I'm not going to apologise. I do not understand what to apologise for. I'm not trying to be stupid. Genuinely, I am not stupid.

On the lack of support from the film industry
We are here in this industry to sell entertainment. Suddenly, I cannot be responsible for people going to a theatre and getting hurt. My wife and kids go to theatres to watch films; I stopped them after 26/11. I'm a good, thinking Indian. If I did not have the vulnerability of a movie I would show you power.

We are not homogenous. We are different people, different thoughts. But we are family. We are friends. Yes, when there was an earthquake we all come out.

Principles are weak in the industry. Wednesday and Thursday are not days for being bold. Nobody's a coward in the industry. I thank all those who came out in support. I have never stood by them myself. How can I suddenly expect them to stand by me? I told exhibitors to please give us a chance, exhibitors were backing out. Ask me anything on Thursday, I will do it.

On religious differences
I speak very strongly as a Muslim who has been accepted as a son of the country. I think it's old-fashioned to talk about religion. All this is nonsense. If we are gonna talk about regionalism every two minutes, all this is nonsense. Then nobody should talk about India Shining etc.

On Mumbai and Marathi
It would be nice if the city's cabbies knew the language. I'm a Mumbaikar. I have lived in Mumbai for 20 years. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to learn Marathi.

It is very important to talk about the issues of the Marathi manoos, but it is not the most important thing.

Everyone says Mumbai is the commercial capital of India. But no new business has opened in Mumbai in the last 20 years. It was supposed to be the heart of the country. These are important things.

We have three identities, family identity and religion, work identity, and national identity. Both family identity and work identity are subsets of your national identity.

On how his family has taken the controversy
My daughter asked if we were leaving Mumbai. There were suggestions on where we should go. It's sad. I thought for a moment, "Nobody can tell Daddy to leave." I was called a traitor. I don't take it seriously. I'm called Badshah. I don't take that seriously either.

My wife felt bad for Karan and Kajol. I want that film [My Name Is Khan] to come out. I worked like a dog for it. And I'm not saying this for publicity.

If they stone the theatres exhibiting my film, what can I do? I'm tired of trying to explain this. I'm hoping/assuming that nothing will happen. I've been told the signals are good. But I'm genuinely not confident about it.