Shah Rukh at his ‘lowest’ after Lanka attack

A bomb exploded in the stands of the open-air venue just as the show was coming to an end. The concert, part of the Temptations 2004 series, included Preity Zinta, Priyanka Chopra, Saif Ali Khan, Zayed Khan and Celina Jaitly.

The star troupe was whisked away immediately after the blast arrived in Mumbai this morning. ‘‘God was kind to me but I feel very sad that innocent people who had come with so much love to see me lost their lives and got hurt. I pray to Allah for the departed souls and condemn this dastardly and unwanted action,’’ he said. The actor added that he felt at his lowest and worst ‘‘as an entertainer who has committed his life to bring happiness and spread smiles amongst people’’.

Temptations 2004 is scripted and directed by the Moranis. The Sri Lankan show, however, was produced by Showdiff, an event management company co-owned by ex-cricketer Ravi Shastri. Shastri’s wife, Ritu, was among the injured. Karim Morani, who was also present at the venue, said: ‘‘The show was nearly over when we heard a huge blast. The Sri Lankan police asked us to stop the show and we were immediately taken to the airport.’’

Only a few hours before the show, Buddhist monks had clashed with police, protesting the show that coincided with the first death anniversary of Gangodawila Soma.

Khan was rushed to the international airport after the attack at Colombo’s former race course. Ritu Shastri was taken to a private hospital, where she was treated for minor injuries and discharged soon after.

(With PTI)