BJP MP Hema Malini comes out in support of Shah Rukh Khan, says superstar targeted for no reason

Mumbai, Nov 7: Veteran actress and BJP MP Hema Malini on Friday came out in support of superstar Shah Rukh Khan, saying he was "targeted" for no reason.

"Shah Rukh has not said he is going to return the award or anything. I feel he has been targeted ("nishana bana rahe hai"). I feel personally that it is not right," Malini said at an event in Mumbai. "He is an actor from our country, he has brought good name to the country, he has been liked by millions of people all over the world. We are proud of him," she said.

Hema Malini, now a BJP Lok Sabha member from Mathura, had directed Shah Rukh in "Dil Aashna Hai" at the beginning of his career. On his 50th birthday, Shah Rukh had said there was extreme intolerance in India, which elicited angry reactions from BJP general secretary Kailash Vijaywargiya and MP Yogi Adityanath.

Vijaywargiya, however, later recanted his statement. Political parties and celebrities subsequently came out in Shah Rukh's support, and BJP too distanced itself from those criticising his remarks.