CONTROVERSIA Help us
Portrait of Aamir Khan

Photo: Bollywood Hungama · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Born in India · Nationality Indian — Film / production / public statements / cultural politics / advertising

Aamir Khan

Film, television and entertainment

Documented profile covering 9 controversies, including “2022: #BoycottLaalSinghChaddha campaign revives past remarks; Khan asks public not to boycott film” and “November 2015–2020: remarks on "rising intolerance", fierce political backlash and criminal proceedings dismissed”.

Are you concerned? Right of reply

Profile No. 1942 · Updated on 12 October 2026

Portrait of Aamir Khan

Photo: Bollywood Hungama · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
9Documented controversies
15Sources
0Formal charge · all time
0Conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

01

July–August 2022

2022: #BoycottLaalSinghChaddha campaign revives past remarks; Khan asks public not to boycott film

No legal proceedings

Ahead of Laal Singh Chaddha's release, a boycott campaign recirculated his 2015 statements and criticisms relating to PK. Khan said he was saddened by the idea that people might believe he did not love India and asked audiences to watch the film.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    The Indian ExpressAamir Khan reacts to ‘boycott Bollywood, boycott Laal Singh Chaddha’ trendsPressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    Al Jazeera‘Anti-Muslim in its soul’: A boycott hurts Bollywood’s Aamir KhanPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

Add to this entry

02

23 November 2015–23 November 2020

November 2015–2020: remarks on "rising intolerance", fierce political backlash and criminal proceedings dismissed

Case dismissed / dropped

At the Ramnath Goenka Awards, Khan said he was alarmed by a climate of fear and intolerance and recounted that his wife Kiran Rao had asked whether they should consider leaving India. His remarks sparked a political storm and several complaints.

Attribution
Personally implicated

Sources · 3

  1. [1]
    The Indian ExpressWhat Aamir saidPressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    The Times of IndiaI stand by everything I have said: Aamir Khan on his comments about intolerancePressHigh reliability
  3. [3]
    Bar & BenchChhattisgarh High Court dismisses petition against Aamir Khan for his remarks on growing intolerancePressHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

Add to this entry

03

15–18 August 2020

August 2020: meeting with Emine Erdoğan in Turkey sparks geopolitical controversy in India

No legal proceedings

While in Turkey for Laal Singh Chaddha, Khan met First Lady Emine Erdoğan at the presidential residence in Istanbul. The meeting prompted criticism in India amid diplomatic tensions with Ankara.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    The Indian Express / PTIAamir Khan meets First Lady of Turkey Emine ErdoganPressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    India TodayPolitics of Aamir Khan and Emine Erdogan's meet in TurkeyPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

Add to this entry

04

January 2016

January 2016: end of involvement with Incredible India amid intolerance controversy

No legal proceedings

After weeks of speculation that his remarks on intolerance had led to his removal, the Tourism Minister confirmed that Aamir Khan was no longer associated with the Incredible India campaign.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    NDTV / PTIYes, Aamir Khan's No Longer Part Of Incredible India. Here's Why.PressHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

Add to this entry

05

January–February 2016

February 2016: Snapdeal does not renew ambassador contract following boycott campaign

No legal proceedings

Snapdeal did not renew Aamir Khan's ambassador contract after the brand was targeted by internet users opposed to his comments on intolerance.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    The Economic TimesSnapdeal not to renew Aamir Khan's contract as brand ambassadorPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

Add to this entry

06

December 2014–January 2015

2014–2015: protests against PK for alleged offence to religious sentiments; ban petitions rejected

Civil / administrative proceedings

Hindu organisations protested against PK, accusing the film of mocking religious practices; some cinemas interrupted screenings under pressure or following threats.

Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    The Indian ExpressDeepak Talkies stops screening of Aamir Khan’s PK amid protests, threats by saffron groupsPressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    The Indian Express / PTIPIL against ‘PK’ dismissed, Delhi HC wants religious ‘intolerance’ to be ‘nipped in the bud’PressHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

Add to this entry

07

August 2014

2014: nude PK poster — obscenity complaints, but Supreme Court refuses to ban film

Civil / administrative proceedings

The first PK poster showed Aamir Khan naked, with a transistor covering his private parts. Complaints and petitions alleged obscenity and offence to religious sentiments.

Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    The Times of India / PTINothing wrong with 'PK' poster, SC dismisses plea against AamirPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

Add to this entry

08

May 2008

2008: blog post about dog named "Shahrukh" and apology following controversy

No legal proceedings

Khan posted a joke on his blog about a dog named "Shahrukh", prompting criticism from Shah Rukh Khan's fans and another round of media rivalry between the two stars.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    Hindustan Times / IANSAamir apologies for his 'Shahrukh' blog entryPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

Add to this entry

09

April–May 2006

2006: support for Narmada Bachao Andolan, refusal to apologise and Fanaa boycott in Gujarat

No legal proceedings

Aamir Khan supported rehabilitation demands on behalf of people displaced by the Narmada dam project and refused to apologise as requested by Gujarat BJP officials. Cinema operators declined to screen Fanaa in the state amid threats and protests.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Personally implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    The Times of IndiaGujarat left out as world sees FanaaPressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    The Times of India'I will not apologise'PressHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

Add to this entry

II. Constellation of documented links

  • Linked profile (portrait or initials) — click to open it
  • Line width: number of documented references
  • Hover over or tap a line: controversies and sources

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

List of documented links (1)
  1. Shah Rukh Khan1 documented reference

III. Has something changed?

A new court decision, a missing source, a mistake? Tell us what should be updated: every request is read by the editorial team.

Support the archive

Controversia checks and updates its profiles independently. Support is optional and has no effect on the content of profiles.

Donate

Update request

Aamir Khan

Say which controversy is concerned and, if possible, give a source. Between 10 and 2,500 characters.

0 / 2500

To prevent abuse, the approximate location of your connection is recorded with your request.

iPhone and iPad

Install Controversia

  1. Tap Share
  2. then Add to Home Screen

Tap Share, then Add to Home Screen.