Actor Shah Rukh Khan recently attended the Joy Awards 2026 in Riyadh, where he joined several global stars at the prestigious international event. While the evening celebrated achievements in entertainment, a brief on-stage moment involving Shah Rukh has since sparked widespread discussion on social media, with fans coming out strongly in his defence.
A video that surfaced on Threads shows Shah Rukh standing on stage during the awards ceremony when a person beside him attempts to take a selfie. In the clip, Shah Rukh is seen smiling warmly as he takes the phone from the individual. Instead of posing for a selfie, he gently gestures for the person to look toward the front, where official photographers and camerapersons are positioned. After guiding him, Shah Rukh hands the phone back. In another moment from the same clip, a second individual also tries to take a selfie, and once again, Shah Rukh politely signals to look ahead at the main camera. He then proceeds to hand over the trophy, smiling as they pose for an official photograph.
The short clip quickly went viral, accompanied by a caption suggesting that the moment had divided opinions online. While some viewers interpreted Shah Rukh’s action as dismissive or arrogant, many others argued that the interaction was being misunderstood. The caption pointed out that in high-security, formal events such as international award ceremonies, even small gestures can appear different from their actual intent.
Fans were quick to step in and clarify the situation. One user commented, “Are they stupid? He’s telling them someone else will take the picture so that the prize can be seen too. They’re not smart enough to see something so obvious.” Another wrote, “He is clearly telling them to take a picture from the front so the photo will be clearer.”
Several fans emphasized that Shah Rukh was simply following event protocol. “Why take a selfie on stage with an award when there is a cameraman?” one comment read. Another Threads user explained in detail, saying Shah Rukh was obligated to ensure that official photographs were taken while presenting the award. According to the fan, people got carried away by the excitement of sharing the stage with the superstar and began clicking personal selfies, which Shah Rukh gently discouraged in order to complete his responsibility.
Many users also pointed out the importance of basic etiquette at formal events. “We are so used to not following basic civic sense that now we criticise someone trying to follow it,” a fan wrote. “When you are on stage for an award, you don’t click personal selfies that ruin official photographs. Imagine doing that at the Oscars or IIFA.”
Others echoed similar sentiments, stating that professional photographers were present and would capture far better images than any mobile phone selfie. “Selfies have their own place, and it’s certainly not on a stage while receiving awards,” one person commented. Another added, “He’s actually teaching him how to be decent. With the way he’s presenting the award, he’s not really supposed to click a selfie like that.”
The overwhelming response from fans highlighted Shah Rukh Khan’s reputation for grace and professionalism, traits he has long been admired for throughout his career. Many argued that his calm demeanor in the video showed he was not being rude but was instead ensuring that the ceremony proceeded smoothly and respectfully.
The Joy Awards 2026 saw attendance from several international celebrities, including Millie Bobby Brown, Katy Perry, Lee Jung-jae and Lee Byung-hun, making it a truly global affair. Shah Rukh Khan’s presence was one of the highlights of the event, drawing immense attention from fans across the world.
Following the event, Shah Rukh took to X (formerly Twitter) to share a warm message about the evening. Addressing Turki Alalshikh, chairperson of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, Shah Rukh wrote that the event was filled with happiness and praised the grandeur of the ceremony. He congratulated the organisers on completing five successful years of the Joy Awards, calling the celebration spectacular.
Always fun and happiness to come my friend. And the function was spectacular and very grand. Congratulations on half a decade of #JoyAwards https://t.co/E1qILSQjHn
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) January 17, 2026
On the professional front, Shah Rukh Khan is gearing up for his next big-screen appearance in King, directed by Siddharth Anand. The much-anticipated film features an ensemble cast including Suhana Khan, Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan and Akshay Oberoi. Produced by Red Chillies Entertainment and Marflix Pictures, the film has already generated significant buzz among fans.
As discussions around the Joy Awards video continue, many fans believe the incident serves as a reminder of how easily moments can be misinterpreted online. For Shah Rukh Khan’s admirers, the clip only reinforces his image as a seasoned professional who understands the importance of decorum on global platforms.