Shah Rukh Khan’s rise to superstardom coincided with a period when Mumbai’s underworld had a strong and often intimidating presence in Bollywood. Actors, filmmakers and producers were sometimes subjected to threats and pressure, and Shah Rukh too found himself on the radar of gangsters. Filmmaker Sanjay Gupta has now recalled how the actor refused to be intimidated and stood his ground despite the risks involved.Gupta said Shah Rukh responded to the threats in unusually defiant fashion. According to the filmmaker, the actor made it clear that he would not allow anyone to dictate the films or shows he worked on.He said on Hussain Zaidi’s podcast, “The only guy in the film industry, Shah Rukh Khan, when he was threatened, he said, ‘I will never do the film or show, I am a Pathaan, just shoot me if you want’. I am not scared of you, but I will not work with you and not do shows for you. He actually earned their respect. They also must have felt that there’s at least one person…”Despite his bold stance, the threats were serious enough for Shah Rukh to remain under police and security protection for around three years.The actor had previously opened up about the dangers he faced during the 1990s in an interview with comedian and actor Ruby Wax. Recalling how the underworld allegedly operated, Shah Rukh explained the pressure stars could face when they refused to cooperate.“They would set up a system, and they would say you do it. I may not have succumbed to it, but then they shoot you. So, sometimes it’s nice to do a film,” he said.Wax then sought clarification, asking, “You’re seriously saying someone calls you and says be in my film or I’ll blow your head off?”Shah Rukh confirmed that the reality was even more disturbing than Wax’s description.“Not as nicely as you’re saying it.”When asked whether he had personally received death threats, the actor did not hesitate.“Oh yes, on many occasions… I had a lot of security for three years.”Shah Rukh’s Run-ins With Abu SalemFilm critic and author Anupama Chopra also documented Shah Rukh’s encounters with the underworld in her book King of Bollywood: Shah Rukh Khan and the Seductive World of Indian Cinema. Her account includes references to the actor’s alleged interactions with gangsters such as Abu Salem, Chhota Rajan and Chhota Shakeel.According to Chopra, concerns over Shah Rukh’s safety intensified in 1997 while he was shooting Mahesh Bhatt’s Duplicate. Maharashtra police officer Rakesh Maria, who had played a role in investigating the 1993 Mumbai blasts, reportedly warned Bhatt about a possible threat to the actor. Shah Rukh was subsequently assigned a personal bodyguard.Chopra also wrote about an alleged phone call Shah Rukh received from Abu Salem. The gangster reportedly confronted the actor over his refusal to work in a film associated with a producer who was close to him.While Shah Rukh was said to be “depressed and scared”, he maintained his composure during the conversation. When Salem continued insisting that he take up a particular project, Chopra recalled Shah Rukh responding, “I don’t tell you who to shoot so don’t tell me which film to do.”Karan Johar Recalls Shah Rukh’s Fearless ResponseShah Rukh’s willingness to confront threats was also recalled by filmmaker Karan Johar in his autobiography An Unsuitable Boy. Johar described an incident in which he himself faced pressure from the underworld around the release of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.According to Johar, Shah Rukh refused to let the situation intimidate either of them. He wrote, “Shah Rukh said, ‘What nonsense!’ He went inside and dragged me out. He said, ‘I’m standing here in front of you. Let’s see who shoots you. I’m standing right here.’”Johar further recalled Shah Rukh reassuring his mother and making it clear that he would stand by his friend.“I’m a Pathan. Nothing can happen to me and nothing will happen to your son. He’s like my brother. Nothing’s gonna happen.”Bollywood’s Underworld ConnectionThe relationship between Mumbai’s film industry and the underworld was not a new phenomenon, but the nexus became increasingly visible during the late 1980s and 1990s. Allegations involving illegal financing, interference in film projects and threats against industry figures brought the issue into sharper focus.The 1997 killing of music baron Gulshan Kumar became one of the most high-profile incidents highlighting the risks associated with the alleged nexus. The issue resurfaced prominently in 2001 with the Chori Chori Chupke Chupke case, which led to the arrest of financier Bharat Shah and producer Nazim Rizvi over alleged links to gangster Chhota Shakeel.