Ready to talk to Shiv Sena, Bal Thackeray, if invited, says Shahrukh - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

Bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan on Saturday expressed his willingness to talk to the Shiv Sena party or its chief Bal Thackeray, if invited. Having landed in Mumbai today amidst tight security arrangements at the airport, Shahrukh Khan said: "I am proud to be an Indian." He also said that he would talk to the Shiv Sena, if invited Asked if he has plans to talk to Shiv Sena, Khan said: "If Bal Thackeray will call me, I will meet him anytime. I enjoy his company." Speaking to NDTV, Khan, also credited Mumbai for playing a major role in his career and said: "I am very proud to be an Indian. If I say anything it will be misconstrued and further turned around, let me not even use big words. I am pro relationship with countries, which was misconstrued. I am what I am because of Mumbai." Asked about Shiv Sena's ongoing war against him, Khan said: "Let's be patient and talk it out. If I say anything it will be misconstrued and further turned around, let me not even use big words. I am pro relationship with countries, which was misconstrued. I am what I am because of Mumbai." It needs to be mention that the Shiv Sena has threatened to block the release of SRK's new film--My Name is Khan-following his comments about Pakistani cricketers' being left out for the IPL's third season. On Saturday, Sena chief Bal Thackeray wrote in Saamna, the party's mouthpiece, the Sena would not stop the screening of My Name is Khan, as threatened earlier. However, Sena leaders later said that Thackeray's editorial was sarcastic, and their threats against the film remained as it is. The reported write up in Saamna quoted Thackeray writing as: "How do we awaken this Congress party? This is how you rule. So go ahead. Let Shahrukh Khan show his film My Name Is Khan without security. Traitors with the blessings of the Congress go ahead, the Shiv Sena will not block you." Earlier this week, cinema owners in Mumbai received letters and phone calls from the Sena, warning them to remove posters publicizing the film. They were also told not to screen the film unless Shahrukh apologised. Just a few days ago Khan had stated: "What should I retract"... "that I'm an Indian? I think what I said is true of any person from any nation from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, America, England. That's how I think we've all been brought up. You say 'ok, my country is nice, I'm very proud of it, I'm very proud to have been born there and I wish a lot of people come to my country and participate in the goodness of my country.' If that is wrong then I think I need to relook (sic) at what my children are studying right now. I need to even ask people who think the statement is wrong 'do they have an issue with the schools their children are going to?"