NEW DELHI (ANN/THE STATESMAN) – Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan, a towering figure in Indian cinema, has once again found himself at the center of a death threat that has raised security concerns and led to the swift arrest of a suspect in Chhattisgarh.
On November 5, Faizan Khan was arrested in Raipur for allegedly making a threatening call to a police officer responsible for Shah Rukh Khan’s security detail. The Mumbai Police, acting with urgency, tracked the call to the Pandri area in Raipur, linking it to a mobile number registered under Faizan’s name. A police team from Mumbai located and apprehended the suspect at his residence.
Faizan Khan claimed during initial questioning that his mobile phone had gone missing days earlier and that he had reported the loss to the Khamhardih police station. Despite providing documents to support his statement, authorities remain cautious, requiring him to report to Bandra Police Station in Mumbai for further investigation. This case highlights the recurring threats faced by Bollywood’s most prominent figures, including Shah Rukh Khan, who maintains a massive global fanbase.
In response to the incident, the Mumbai Police have intensified security around Khan’s Bandra residence, Mannat. Barricades have been erected, and security personnel are on high alert. Authorities are reportedly considering additional security measures, noting the example of Salman Khan, who was provided with Y-plus category protection following threats from gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.
This is not the first time Shah Rukh Khan has been the target of threats. Last year, following the release of his blockbuster hits Pathaan and Jawan, he received similar death threats, prompting authorities to assign him Y-plus security.
The latest threat came just days after Shah Rukh Khan’s 59th birthday on November 2. For the first time, fans were unable to witness his customary appearance on the balcony of Mannat due to safety concerns. The annual tradition, which typically draws massive crowds, was foregone as a precaution. Instead, Khan attended a private event at the Rang Mandir auditorium in Bandra, where security was notably heightened.
The investigation is ongoing, with the authorities committed to ensuring the safety of one of India’s most beloved cultural icons.
