In deeply polarised India, Shah Rukh Khan’s box-office hit stirs religion in politics debate

Fans wearing Shah Rukh Khan masks to celebrate the release of the Bollywood star's his new film Jawan in Kolkata, India, on Sept 7. - PHOTO: EPA-EFE via The Straits Times/ANN

NEW DELHI: Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan has not only set the Indian box office on fire with his latest film Jawan, but is also generating buzz for a monologue in which his character urges people to avoid voting along religious lines.

The monologue, which occurs in the film’s climax, has sparked discussion at a time when India is politically charged ahead of a general election due by May 2024.