Shah Rukh Khan was involved in a heated argument at the Wankhede Stadium
During a KKR vs Mumbai Indians match at Wankhede, things got ugly. SRK got into a fight with stadium security after they stopped his kids from entering the field after the game. There was shouting, pushing, and chaos so much that the Mumbai Cricket Association banned SRK from Wankhede for 5 years! But why did Bollywood’s biggest star lose his cool? Was it just about his kids, or something more? Let’s find out what really happened that night.
The year was 2012, and on May 16th, Kolkata Knight Riders faced Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium in a high-stakes IPL clash. With playoff spots on the line, KKR owner Shah Rukh Khan arrived to cheer his team, little knowing this match would make headlines for both cricket and controversy. Batting first, KKR posted a modest 140/7, with Manoj Tiwary top-scoring (41 off 43) while Munaf Patel (1/17) and RP Singh (2/33) restricted the flow.
The innings saw dramatic collapses as from 6/2 early on to 96/6 before Yusuf Pathan’s unbeaten 21 provided late momentum. In response, MI crumbled spectacularly against KKR’s spin trio. Sunil Narine (4/15) dismantled the top order, dismissing Sachin Tendulkar (27) and Rohit Sharma (12), while Balaji (2/11) choked the run flow. MI were bundled out for 108 in 19.1 overs, losing by 32 runs. Narine’s magical spell earned him Player of the Match as KKR strengthened their playoff position.
With the match done and dusted for both the teams, the Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians players were seen on the field having a chat with each other. But what followed after that was a completely shocking event for the fans as Bollywood superstar and KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan got into a heated altercation with security personnel at Wankhede Stadium. The incident took place on May 16, 2012, just after KKR had secured a 32-run victory. Eyewitnesses and video footage showed Khan visibly angry and making aggressive gestures toward a security guard.
According to the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), Shah Rukh tried to enter the field without official permission and was reportedly under the influence of alcohol. They accused him of misconduct and claimed he behaved inappropriately with the security staff. This even got a complaint, which was made at the Marine Drive police station. The matter escalated when MCA President at the time, Vilasrao Deshmukh, also a former Maharashtra Chief Minister, publicly announced a five-year ban on Khan from entering Wankhede Stadium.
Deshmukh emphasized that disciplinary action would apply to everyone equally, celebrity or not, stressing that even he needed proper authorization to access the field. Interestingly, although the ban was initially set for five years, it was lifted after just three, allowing Shah Rukh Khan to return to the stadium sooner than expected.
After this incident, there was a major outburst from the fans and everyone involved, with emotions running high on both sides. Shah Rukh Khan, the co-owner of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), was at the centre of a highly publicised verbal spat with a security guard at Wankhede Stadium in 2012. The altercation took place after the IPL match between KKR and Mumbai Indians, and it quickly grabbed headlines, sparking widespread debate.
In an interview on Aap Ki Adalat, SRK spoke candidly about what transpired during the incident. He expressed that he was extremely angry and upset at the time, particularly because his children were present, and he felt that they were being treated unfairly. According to Shah Rukh, the issue arose when a security guard tried to stop him and his family from entering a restricted area, citing a rule. SRK, in his usual protective manner, asserted that his kids were with him and that they should be allowed to move through. However, things took a turn when the security guard used a word that SRK, a Delhi native, found offensive.
Though the word may have been culturally different in its meaning, SRK felt that it was an inappropriate, disrespectful term, which added to his frustration. He described the word as being not only rude but also religiously insensitive, which pushed him to lose his temper. In the heat of the moment, SRK admitted that he was so enraged that he was ready to physically confront the security guard, saying:
I was very angry and upset. My kids were there, and I thought of someone… Maybe they had a rule, that hatao yaha se. I told him, these are our kids, and we are taking them. I just said this. There was a person there who said a word which I, as a Delhi person, felt like it was an abusive word. Even though the same word in Marathi is also rude. It was religious, it was wrong, I then lost my cool, main pagal hogaya and I went to hit him.
However, before things could escalate further, the situation was diffused, and SRK was escorted away. This altercation led to a major backlash from the public, with many fans expressing their support for the Bollywood star, while others criticized his reaction. The incident led to heightened discussions about celebrity conduct and the way security measures are implemented at major sporting events. Despite the controversy, Shah Rukh Khan later apologized for his behaviour and clarified that his anger stemmed from the protection of his family in an intense situation.
Even after 13 years of the incident, there have been a lot of discussions and reflections on the altercation between Shah Rukh Khan and security guards at Wankhede Stadium in 2012. The incident followed an IPL match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Mumbai Indians, where a police complaint was filed against SRK for causing voluntary hurt and intimidation. However, since it was classified as a non-cognizable offence, the Bollywood superstar was not arrested.
Shah Rukh Khan later explained that his outburst was triggered by the security guards touching a group of children he was accompanying, including his daughter. He felt deeply provoked by the situation, which led to his emotional reaction. The controversy led to SRK being banned from entering the Wankhede Stadium for five years, a ban that was eventually lifted by the Mumbai Cricket Association in 2015.
Recently, Joy Bhattacharjya, the former KKR team director, shared his thoughts on the 2012 Wankhede incident. Reflecting on the game where KKR won against Mumbai Indians, Bhattacharjya mentioned he was there at the match. He pointed out that despite the tense situation, Shah Rukh Khan did not use any abusive language. Bhattacharjya also offered advice to anyone in a similar situation, suggesting they remain calm if their young daughter is catcalled, acknowledging the emotional impact but stressing the importance of staying composed.