Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan found himself at the centre of a social media conversation after a brief on-stage interaction at the Joy Awards 2026 in Riyadh went viral online, with fans defending his actions as a matter of event protocol.

Shah Rukh Khan stops fan from taking on-stage selfie at Joy Awards 2026

A clip circulating on social media shows Khan presenting an award when a fan standing beside him attempted to take a selfie with the actor. In the video, Khan can be seen smiling and taking the phone from the individual before gesturing towards the official photographers positioned in front of the stage. He then handed the device back and posed for the professional cameras. Moments later, another person tried to take a selfie, and Khan again encouraged them to face the front camera before continuing with the formalities.

The video was widely shared on platforms such as Threads, prompting mixed reactions. The post’s caption suggested that while some interpreted Khan’s gesture as dismissive, others noted that “in crowded, high-security events, even small interactions can look different from what they really are.”

Many fans came to Khan’s defence online, arguing that he was simply following the event’s protocol and ensuring that proper, official photographs were taken. One user wrote, “He is clearly telling them to take a picture from the front so that the photo will be clearer.” Another comment read, “SRK was following protocol… Why take a selfie on stage with an award when there is a cameraman?”

Supporters also noted that award ceremonies typically have designated photographers to capture official moments, and impromptu selfies can disrupt proceedings or obscure the awarded moment. “There’s a camera right in front. Why would he stop for selfies at a formal event?” one user commented, reflecting this sentiment.

The Joy Awards event featured an international roster of entertainers, with Khan appearing alongside global stars as part of the ceremony. After the interaction, the actor took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his appreciation for the evening, congratulating organisers on five successful years of the awards and acknowledging the grand scale of the event.

Off-stage, Shah Rukh Khan is gearing up for the release of his upcoming film King, directed by Siddharth Anand and featuring an ensemble cast, including his daughter Suhana Khan and Deepika Padukone.

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