A video clip of Shah Rukh Khan (SRK) at the Joy Awards 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has sparked a debate online after he appeared to stop a fan from taking a selfie with him on stage. The incident, captured on video and shared widely on social media platform Threads, shows Khan gently taking the phone away from an individual attempting to snap a picture.

The video shows SRK smiling and gesturing to the person to look towards the official photographers. He then handed the phone back. A similar interaction occurred with another person, where Khan guided them to pose for the cameras before handing over a trophy.

The online reaction to the video has been divided. Some social media users have criticized Khan, while many fans have come to his defense. Supporters argue that the actor was simply adhering to the event's protocol, which prioritizes official photographs over personal selfies during award presentations. They suggest that his actions were not out of arrogance but rather a professional approach to fulfilling his obligations.

Many fans emphasized that Khan was ensuring the award recipient and the award itself were clearly visible in the photographs. Some pointed out that taking selfies on stage could disrupt the official photographs and detract from the ceremony's proceedings. "He is clearly telling, 'Take a picture from the front' so that the picture will be clearer," one fan commented. Another wrote, "He's telling them someone else will take the picture, that way the prize can be seen too".

Social media users also highlighted the importance of respecting event protocols and maintaining decorum during formal events. One user stated that "SRK was following the protocol of the event... He just stopped them from doing the same and finished his obligations". Another comment read, "Why take a selfie on stage with an award when there is a cameraman?". Some fans believe that criticism is unfair and reflects a lack of understanding of basic etiquette. "We are so used to not following basic civic sense that now we criticise someone trying to follow that," a user wrote.

The Joy Awards 2026 was held on January 17, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Khan was among several international celebrities in attendance, including Millie Bobby Brown and Katy Perry. Following the event, Khan shared a message on X, expressing his appreciation to Turki Alalshikh, chairperson of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority, for a spectacular event.