Calling Shah Rukh Khan a “Gaddaar” Over Mustafizur Rahman Is Cruel, Harsh, and Outrageous

In a strange case of life imitating art, Shah Rukh Khan recently found himself at the centre of a controversy eerily reminiscent of his iconic role in Chak De! India. In the film, Kabir Khan is branded a “gaddaar” for missing a crucial penalty against Pakistan. Years later, the word has resurfaced—this time aimed at Shah Rukh himself.

Thankfully, the walls of Mannat remain untouched. But following Kolkata Knight Riders’ decision to sign Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman, a fringe religious leader and politician labelled Shah Rukh Khan a “traitor”. The charge was as absurd as it was offensive.

In an era where even those with no understanding of sport, no knowledge of ipl auction rules, and no insight into team dynamics are suddenly qualified to pass televised judgment, such reckless accusations sadly go unchecked.

What do these self-appointed experts know about Shah Rukh Khan’s relationship with Indian Cricket—or even his role at KKR? The truth is simple: the only people qualified to speak about his cricketing conduct are those inside the KKR dressing room.

Those familiar with KKR’s inner workings say Shah Rukh rarely interferes in cricketing decisions. Much like he would never offer acting advice to a cricketer, he knows when to step back. On auction day, the owner reportedly spends barely ten minutes with the team, cracking jokes to ease tension rather than influencing selections.

Former KKR captain Gautam Gambhir, who shared the franchise’s most successful years with Shah Rukh, once remarked that in seven seasons, the two might not have discussed cricket for more than seventy seconds. Their bond, instead, was built on trust and mutual respect.

One story, often recounted by Arvind Pujara, father of Cheteshwar Pujara, perfectly captures Shah Rukh’s commitment to Indian cricket. During the 2009 IPL in South Africa, a young Pujara suffered a severe hamstring injury and was desperate to return home for treatment.

Shah Rukh intervened personally. He explained that Pujara was far too valuable a prospect for Indian cricket to risk substandard care. South Africa, he said, had world-class expertise in hamstring surgeries due to rugby. When doubts persisted, Shah Rukh offered to fly Pujara’s father, their family doctor from Rajkot, and relatives to Cape Town.

There was one hurdle—Arvind Pujara didn’t have a passport. Shah Rukh calmly assured him that would be taken care of. It was. Within a day. Soon, father and son were reunited in South Africa.

Pujara never became a KKR mainstay, nor a T20 star. But India gained one of its finest Test batsmen. Years later, Arvind Pujara still credits Shah Rukh Khan for playing a quiet yet crucial role in his son’s journey.

Humility, Charm, and Humanity

Every KKR player has a Shah Rukh Khan story—and none of them involve prejudice or politics. They speak of humility, warmth, and a deeply personal touch.

Manvinder Bisla, the man whose unforgettable knock won KKR their first IPL title, recalls Shah Rukh telling him after the final, “Kabhi bhi zindagi mein koi kaam ho toh batana.” He didn’t stop there—Shah Rukh spent time with Bisla’s parents as well.

But Bisla insists the real measure of a person is how they treat you when you are struggling. “Anyone will praise you after a match-winning performance,” he says. “But when you’re not scoring or not even in the XI, that’s when you see character. Shah Rukh bhai always treated US with respect. He spoke like an elder brother. He never gave cricketing advice—only life lessons.”

Bisla strongly condemns the “gaddaar” label and points to the media’s role in fuelling outrage. He also explains the cricketing logic behind signing Mustafizur Rahman. Mini-auctions are about backups. KKR needed death-over and powerplay options. Mustafizur fit the role perfectly.

Bisla asks a simple question: had Chennai Super Kings won the bid, would anyone have dared to call MS Dhoni a traitor? The answer is obvious—and deeply uncomfortable.

The episode evokes haunting imagery from Chak De! India—Kabir Khan standing alone against a tricolour backdrop, eyes heavy with sorrow, as the song echoes:

Teeja tera rang tha main toh…
Jiya tere dhang se main toh…
Tu hi tha maula, tu hi aan…

If Shah Rukh Khan—an artist, sports patron, and human being who has consistently stood for India with dignity—is made to feel like Kabir Khan, then it is not he who has failed the country.