No matter what, will stay positive: Shah Rukh Khan amid 'Pathaan' controversy

Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan on Thursday made a speech at the inaugural ceremony of the 28th Kolkata International Film Festival. He emphasized that though negativity has increased social media consumption, individuals like him won't be affected and continue to remain positive.

"I believe cinema has more important role to play now. Social media is often driven by a certain narrowness of view that limits human nature to its baser self. I read somewhere that negativity increases social media consumption. Such pursuits enclose collective narrative making it divisive and destructive," Shah Rukh Khan said at the event.

"No matter what the world does, people like us will stay positive," the actor added.

"Cinema exposes the vulnerability of human nature by telling stories in the simplest form as they are lived. It allows us to know each other better in a way it's best placed to sustain a collective counter-narrative that speaks to the larger nature of humankind," SRK continued.

His comments come after his upcoming film Pathaan got embroiled in controversy ahead of its release in January. A song from the film, Besharam Rang, which dropped online on December 12, became the talk of the town. Many found the song objectionable over the use of saffron and green costumes. A slew of activists in Indore even staged a protest against Pathaan and the Besharam Rang song.

Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan also inaugurated the 28th International Kolkata Film Festival, on Thursday evening.

He will be also seen in south director Atlee's upcoming action thriller film Jawan and director Rajkumar Hirani's next film Dunki opposite Taapsee Pannu.