Reports of SRK's involvement in release of Indians from Qatar 'unfounded', says his office

Mumbai: Matters involving diplomacy and statecraft are best executed by "our very able leaders", Shah Rukh Khan's office said on Tuesday, dismissing speculation that the star was involved in the release of eight jailed former Indian Navy personnel from Qatar.

Qatar on Monday released the Indian Navy veterans who were sentenced to death and whose sentences were commuted to jail terms of varying duration. Seven of them have returned home.

Speculation that Shah Rukh, who enjoys massive popularity in Qatar and recently met the country's prime minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani in Doha during an event, played a role in the release of the jailed Indians was rife on Tuesday. Former MP Subramanian Swamy's claim in a post on X that the actor had intervened in the matter circulated widely on social media platforms.

Modi should take Cinema star Sharuk Khan to Qatar with him since after MEA and NSA had failed to persuade the Shiekhs of Qatar, Modi pleaded with Khan to intervene , and thus got an expensive settlement from the Qatar Shiekhs to free our Naval officers.

— Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) February 13, 2024

Shah Rukh was trending on X for much of the day.

"Regarding the reports concerning Shah Rukh Khan's purported role in the release of India's naval officers from Qatar, the office of Mr Shah Rukh Khan says that any such assertions of his involvement are unfounded...," his office said in a statement.

From the office of Mr. Shah Rukh Khan pic.twitter.com/s7Kwwhmd6j

— Pooja Dadlani (@pooja_dadlani) February 13, 2024

"... The execution of this successful resolution solely rests with the Indian government officials," it said, unequivocally denying Shah Rukh's participation in the matter.

"All matters involving diplomacy and statecraft are best executed by our very able leaders," the statement, also posted by his manager Pooja Dadlani on Instagram, said.

"Mr. Khan like many other Indians is happy that the naval officers are home safe and wishes them all the best," it said.

The actor, 58, recently attended the Asian Football Club final in Doha, where he was the special guest of honour.

The release of the eight Indians comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Qatar on February 14-15.

They apparently faced charges of espionage but neither Qatari authorities nor New Delhi made the charges against them public.