Salman Khan's message on 'intolerance' controversy

My statement can be misconstrued by many present here, said Salman Khan.

New Delhi: Amid ongoing debate over intolerance, Bollywood superstar Salman Khan says he doesn't believe in judging people on the basis of where they come from or their religion.

The superstar also has a message to send out -- "We all are humans, and should live in harmony."

"We all are here, we are sitting beside each other, does anything make it different? It doesn't matter. I believe that we are all Indians, we are all humans and we should love each other and live together.

"That is what my organisation Being Human is about. We don't go on asking who are you and where are you from and I don't believe in this at all," Salman said here on Wednesday.

The 49-year-old actor along with Sonam Kapoor was here to promote his forthcoming film ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’.

Various sections of the society have voiced concern over growing intolerance in the country witnessed in cancellation of legendary Pakistani ghazal singer Ghulam Ali's concert in Mumbai or the returning of awards by noted writers and filmmakers.

Bollywood's 'Badshah' Shah Rukh Khan also appeared to have rubbed many people the wrong way, saying there "is intolerance (in India), there is extreme intolerance ... there is growing intolerance".

BJP MP Yogi Adityanath compared Shah Rukh Khan with Mubai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed of Pakistan, while another Hindutva proponent and Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Sadhvi Prachi dubbing the actor a "Pakistani agent".

In fact Salman, who had earlier told IANS that art is not restricted to boundaries and needs to be appreciated by all, was hesitant to delve on the issue.

"It is a wrong platform to discuss this. We have come here to promote the film. My mother's name is Sushila Charak and my father is Salim Khan. I am Salman Khan and she is Sonam Kapoor," he said, when asked to react on the ongoing controversy.

Salman, who will be walking as Prem on the silver screen again through the Sooraj Barjatya's directorial, shared that he is withholding his views on the issue to avoid negative impact.

"My statement can be misconstrued by many present here. That will influence many people. I don't want Sooraj Barjatya or Rajshri (Productions) to get affected by this," said Salman, who has teamed up Barjatya after 16 years with the film.

However, he hinted at the popular saying "Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Isai, Aapas Mein Bhai Bhai" in his own way.

Salman said: "You must have heard the famous phrase that goes something like ‘Bhai-Bhai’.

‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’ unfolds a royal chapter about love and family ties on the big screen. Also featuring Anupam Kher and Neil Nitin Mukesh, the film will hit the screens on November 12.