King faces boycott threat in India over Deepika’s saffron outfit

BJP MLA Ravi Negi has called for a nationwide boycott of Shah Rukh Khan’s upcoming film King, demanding the removal of a scene featuring Deepika Padukone in an orange outfit in the song Tu Mil Jaaye, which was released on November 2.

The controversy began after the song featured Deepika in an orange dress during a dance sequence with Shah Rukh. According to a report by the Free Press Journal, Negi made the demand during an interview with Dainik Samachar, warning that the film could face a nationwide boycott if the scene was not changed.

“If Shah Rukh Khan does not remove the ‘bhagwa’ scene, we will call for a nationwide boycott of King,” he said. Bhagwa is the Hindi word for the saffron or ochre color which holds deep spiritual, cultural, and political significance in India. 

Negi also referred to Khan as a “Jihadi”, alleging that the actor earns money in India while damaging the country’s reputation. He further claimed that Deepika was being used as a pawn in the controversy.

“SRK and all these Jihadi people in this country, they earn money from the country and defame it, and they have a problem with saffron. Deepika Padukone is just a pawn. These Jihadis are behind this. I will call Shah Rukh Khan a Jihadi. In the Sanatan that we believe in, they wear such clothes and dance indecently,” he said.

The MLA also drew comparisons with the controversy surrounding Deepika’s orange bikini in Besharam Rang, a song from Shah Rukh’s 2023 film Pathaan. 

At the time, several Hindu organisations objected to the outfit, alleging that it hurt religious sentiments. Negi warned that the latest song could lead to similar protests.

“We warn Shah Rukh Khan that if this scene is not changed, there will be protests across the country, and no one will tolerate anything against Sanatan Dharma,” he said.

The Pathaan controversy had also drawn political attention, with then Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra demanding changes to the song and threatening a statewide ban on the film. Director Siddharth Anand later said the colour had been chosen to complement the song’s sunny backdrop, while the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) suggested modifications to some of the film’s visuals.

Tu Mil Jaaye brings Shah Rukh and Deepika together on screen once again. The song features vocals by Arijit Singh and Madhubanti Bagchi, with a rap contribution from Ed Sheeran. Sachin-Jigar composed the track, while Kumaar wrote the lyrics.

Directed by Anand, King marks the sixth collaboration between Shah Rukh and Deepika. The film also stars Abhishek Bachchan and Suhana Khan, alongside Rani Mukerji, Raghav Juyal, Arshad Warsi and Jaideep Ahlawat in key roles.

King is scheduled to release in theatres on December 24, a week after Avengers: Doomsday and Dune: Part Three.