Aamir Khan sends legal notice to Pakistani websites over 'fake interview'

Published January 13, 2015
Actor Aamir Khan. - Photo courtesy: Times of India
Actor Aamir Khan. - Photo courtesy: Times of India

Bollywood actor Aamir Khan has issued a legal notice to a handful of Pakistani websites for running a 'fabricated' interview of the actor regarding his film. The interview featured questions on religion with reference to Khan's latest release PK, reports The Economic Times.

Anand Desai, Aamir's legal representative who sent the notice on behalf of the actor, said he was wrongly attributed to the interview.

Desai shared: “Mr Aamir Khan was shocked to find an interview attributed to him on several Pakistani websites in relation to his latest film PK. He has never given such an interview. It is clearly a fabrication by someone trying to impersonate him, done with the intent of drawing visitors to their website, and is defamatory to our client.”

 Screenshot of the interview.—Photo courtesy: Hindustan Times
Screenshot of the interview.—Photo courtesy: Hindustan Times

He added: "The impersonation is a very serious infringement of our client’s rights, and we will take legal recourse. Mr Khan will be filing a criminal complaint with the Cybercrime Cell, Mumbai Police after he returns to Mumbai."

Currently, the Dhoom 3 leading man is in the United States of America.

Most websites have managed to remove the post after news of the legal notice became known. The post on Pakistan Ki Baatein now gives an error message. The website's Facebook page describes itself as a site about "latest media trends in Pakistan".

The short bio reads: "Along with media, we are also blogging on positive topics regarding education, people etc in Pakistan except politics. Our aim is to show positive side of Pakistan. We will share every topic of media whether it will be from Pakistan drama industry, Pakistan film industry or from Bollywood that is in gossips of Pakistanis."

Screenshot of error message on Pakistani Ki Baatein website.
Screenshot of error message on Pakistani Ki Baatein website.

Though the origin of this interview is still up in the air, it was evidently picked up by a number of websites. The most common title of the interview was '5 questions Aamir Khan answered about PK.'

Talking to Dawn.com, Khuzaima Ismail, who is the CEO and founder of the website, Pakistan Ki Baatein, clarifies: "Although the interview was taken down from our website later than most, we are not the ones who fabricated it. I just shared the news from ebuzz.pk and also gave credit to the website."

Opinion

First line of defence

First line of defence

Pakistan’s foreign service has long needed reform to be able to adapt to global changes and leverage opportunities in a more multipolar world.

Editorial

Eid amidst crises
Updated 31 Mar, 2025

Eid amidst crises

Until the Muslim world takes practical steps to end these atrocities, these besieged populations will see no joy.
Women’s rights
Updated 01 Apr, 2025

Women’s rights

Such judgements, and others directly impacting women’s rights should be given more airtime in media.
Not helping
Updated 02 Apr, 2025

Not helping

If it's committed to peace in Balochistan, the state must draw a line between militancy and legitimate protest.
Hard habits
Updated 30 Mar, 2025

Hard habits

Their job is to ensure that social pressures do not build to the point where problems like militancy and terrorism become a national headache.
Dreams of gold
30 Mar, 2025

Dreams of gold

PROSPECTS of the Reko Diq project taking off soon seem to have brightened lately following the completion of the...
No invitation
30 Mar, 2025

No invitation

FOR all of Pakistan’s hockey struggles, including their failure to qualify for the Olympics and World Cup as well...