This Article is From Feb 06, 2010

I stand by what I said: Shah Rukh Khan

Mumbai: Here's the transcript for what Shah Rukh Khan said at a press conference in Mumbai on Saturday evening.

"My kids are young and it is very important to explain to them what has happened. My daughter called and asked me "Papa, will we have to leave India?"

I just found that very sad. I told her that is not the case. But it is very embarrassing.

I am feeling a little stressed. My movie is about to release but I can hardly feel any nervousness or excitement. Normally this doesn't happen.

I felt very sad at this one conference at London - I even felt like crying - when I was trying to explain to people what I stand for. Why am I being questioned for being a regular Indian? I am not on a political platform or anything.

My contemporaries and friends - I thank those have spoken out and even those who did not say anything, These are sensitive issues. Sometimes you keep quiet, not out of fear, but out of prudence.

I stand by what I said and I would like to say that maybe some groups misunderstood me. There is no other explanation, because I have not said anything that I am sorry for. This is not about being 'pro' another nation and 'anti' our nation; it is about being pro relationships. Maybe these groups understand that now, and I appreciate that.

Sometimes when we are radical and angry, we get so aggressive that we don't hear the other point of view.

My Name is Khan is a big film and the stakes are very high. I don't want people - my family or yours - to go watch this movie with doubt or fear in the back of their mind. Films are a big part of Mumbai, even our nation, and I would really like them to be disassociated (from politics)."
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