Shah Rukh Khan’s interaction with fan on Joy Awards stage draws mixed reactions

Shah Rukh Khan’s brief interaction with a fan on stage at the Joy Awards 2026 in Riyadh has sparked online debate, with many social media users coming to the actor’s defence. A short video from the event has gone viral, showing Shah Rukh calmly managing an unexpected moment while presenting an award during the ceremony.

The clip, originally shared on Threads, captures a person standing beside Shah Rukh attempting to take a selfie during the presentation. In the video, the actor is seen smiling as he gently takes the phone from the person and gestures for them to face the front towards the official cameraperson. He then returns the phone and continues with the presentation. Moments later, another individual attempts a similar selfie, and Shah Rukh again signals towards the front camera before handing over the trophy and posing with the awardee for photographers.

The post was shared with a caption that read, “A video from the Joy Awards in Saudi is making rounds online, where a fan tried to take a selfie with Shah Rukh Khan, and SRK gently took the phone away. While some people are calling it arrogance, others feel moments like these are often misunderstood. In crowded, high-security events, even small interactions can look different from what they really are. As always, opinions are divided—what do you think?”

While a section of users questioned Shah Rukh’s behaviour, many others defended him, arguing that he was following stage protocol. One fan commented, “Are they stupid? He’s telling them someone else will take the picture, that way the prize can be seen too… They’re not smart enough to see something so obvious.”

Another user wrote, “He is clearly telling, ‘Take a picture from the front’ so that the picture will be clearer.” A similar comment read, “He is following protocol and telling them the same. Why take a selfie on stage with an award when there is a cameraman?”

A Threads user explained, “SRK was following the protocol of the event, wherein he is supposed to click an official photo while presenting the award to the awardee. However, people got excited to be in the same stage and frame as SRK and started clicking personal selfies.”

Shah Rukh Khan was among several international celebrities present at the Joy Awards 2026, alongside Millie Bobby Brown, Katy Perry, Lee Jung-jae, and Lee Byung-hun. Sharing his experience later, the actor wrote on X, “Always fun and happiness to come my friend. And the function was spectacular and very grand. Congratulations on half a decade of #JoyAwards.”