‘This is fake’: Turkish star Hande Ercel breaks silence on viral post calling Shah Rukh Khan ‘uncle’ at Joy Awards 2026

Here’s the SRK’s clip from the event with Egyptian actress Amina Khalil and Turkish female actor Hande Erçel taking the video:

King’s aura so unreal, Hande Ercel had to capture the moment.❤️👑@iamsrk @HandeErcel #KING #RiyadhJoyAwards #JoyAwards2026 #ShahRukhKhan #SRK #HandeErcel #KingKhan pic.twitter.com/yUMyQQdUib

— Shah Rukh Khan Universe Fan Club (@SRKUniverse) January 19, 2026

While the actor became the center of online discussion after a viral image and video surfaced showing her at the awards event in Riyadh, she herself reacted to a post on X, calling the screenshot ‘fake.’

Hande denied ever calling Shah Rukh Khan “uncle,” saying the screenshot was fake and that she did not post such a message.

An X user shared the screenshot of the viral post with the caption, “Shah Rukh Khan went to host Joy Awards 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A clip of Turkish actress Hande Erçel went viral in which SRK was on stage. News was made that Hande is a fangirl of SRK, but she denied even knowing SRK and referred to him as uncle. A total PR failure.” In reply, Turkish actress Hande Erçel wrote, “This is fake.”

Here’s the post:

Shah Rukh Khan went to host Joy Awards 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

A clip of Turkish actress Hande Erçel went viral in which SRK was on stage

News was made that Hande is a fangirl of SRK, but she denied even knowing SRK and referred to him as uncle

A total PR failure pic.twitter.com/H0mUiq20Mg

— Tushar ॐ♫₹ (@Tushar_KN) January 20, 2026

Some fans appreciated her clarification and reacted by saying, “Thank you for clarifying,” and “I’m so sorry that you felt like you had to respond to these types of things. We love you Handemiyy. You don’t need to respond to such silly things—we know you and your heart.”

This is not the first time SRK has been in the news for his global recognition. Shah Rukh Khan was not immediately recognized by some members of the foreign press at the 2025 Met Gala, leading to a viral moment where he humbly introduced himself as “I’m Shah Rukh,” sparking fan outrage over perceived disrespect towards the global icon, though he handled the situation gracefully. Designer Sabyasachi later emphasized his immense fame.

That incident also became a major talking point, highlighting a disconnect between the international media and Bollywood’s biggest star, despite SRK’s historic debut as the first Indian male actor at the event.