"Every Indian has been hurt by this."
Aamir Khan is a beloved actor, but the star is also often connected to controversies.
In an interview in Aap Ki Adalat, which aired on June 14, 2025, host Rajat Sharma quizzed Aamir over his past visit to Turkey.
The country is also known as the Republic of Türkiye.
A photograph of Aamir shaking hands with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently resurfaced on social media.
This generated backlash following the Pahalgam attack in which terrorists attacked tourists.
In the aftermath of this incident, Turkey supplied Pakistan with aid when conflict broke out between Pakistan and India.
Aamir Khan said: “Turkey has done something very wrong, and every Indian has been hurt by this.
“A few years ago, there was an earthquake in Turkey. Who was the first to help them?
“It was us. Our government offered support to them.
“At that time, our government was unaware – just like I was when I met Erdogan – that seven years later, they would do this to us.
“We extended a hand of friendship to them, and supported them. We were the first to help them in their moment of trouble.
“And they repaid us like this? What has happened is wrong, but that photograph is from a different time when the government was helping them too.
“As a celebrity and an actor, when I go to another country, I’m an ambassador for India.
“When someone invites me for tea, it doesn’t look right if I refuse.
“We are angry with Turkey for treating us this way. We should not support them at all.
“Despite us having helped them, when we are in conflict with Pakistan, they are supporting Pakistan. How is that fair?”
Aamir Khan also spoke about calls to boycott his films, stressing that he has complete faith in the audience.
Recently, Suniel Shetty also defended Aamir amid the controversy surrounding Turkey.
Suniel commented: “People should forget this. The past history does not represent today’s time.
“Turkey’s situation then and now are very different.”
Aamir was also asked about the allegation that he is not patriotic. To this, the actor responded:
“You will see my patriotism in my work. See Rang De Basanti, Lagaan, and Sarfarosh. Watch all of these films.
“I don’t think any other artist has done as many patriotic films as I have.”
“In fact, I had once met Manoj Kumar Ji, whom we call ‘Bharat Kumar’, because he was a known patriot.
“He told me, ‘In the generation after me, if I consider someone a true patriot like me, then that is you’.”
On the work front, Aamir Khan is currently gearing up for Sitaare Zameen Par. It is scheduled to be released on June 20, 2025.
Aside from this, the star has several projects lined up. He has produced the upcoming Lahore 1947.
Aamir will also star in a film directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj as well as a biopic of Dadasaheb Phalke, directed by Rajkumar Hirani.
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