Shah Rukh Khan once questioned the logic of targeting actors for controversial ads. Views on ban vs revenue

Shah Rukh Khan, who recently bagged the Best Actor National Award for his performance in Jawan, has once again found himself in the spotlight for a throwback video from 2006 that is circulating widely online. The resurfaced interview captures Khan speaking candidly about the criticism actors often face for endorsing products like cold drinks, which many believe are harmful, while such items continue to be produced and sold with government approval.

In a conversation with CNN-IBN journalist Karan Thapar nearly two decades ago, Khan argued that the burden of responsibility should not fall solely on actors. He pointed out that if products such as colas or cigarettes are considered damaging to public health, the government should ban their production rather than penalize celebrities who feature in advertisements.

The Debate on Cold Drink Endorsements
At the time, Khan was the face of a major cola brand and faced backlash from health advocates concerned about children consuming these beverages after seeing their favorite stars promote them. Addressing the issue, he noted that the government continues to allow sales because of the revenue generated. His stance was that if authorities deemed these products harmful, the onus was on them to take decisive action.

Khan’s reasoning was straightforward: as an actor, his job was to endorse and perform, but policy decisions should rest with those in power. He stressed that while the entertainment industry was an easy target for criticism, the bigger accountability lay in governance and regulation.

Views on Smoking in Cinema
The same interview also touched upon the subject of smoking on screen. Khan expressed that while smoking is a health concern, it should not become the sole focus of regulation in cinema. He believed the audience was well-informed and would not necessarily adopt harmful habits simply by watching actors portray them on screen.

In his view, authorities should pay more attention to larger and more pressing health issues rather than singling out smoking depictions in films.

Looking Ahead: Upcoming Project King
Beyond his outspoken interviews, Khan continues to stay busy with major projects. He is currently filming King, directed by Siddharth Anand, where he will share the screen with his daughter Suhana Khan for the first time. The film also stars Abhishek Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Rani Mukerji, Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, and several others. Shooting is underway in Poland, though it was briefly delayed earlier this year after Khan sustained an injury that required surgery in the United States.