Turkish actress Hande Erçel has refuted online claims that she referred to Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan as “uncle” during the recent Joy Awards 2026 held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The controversy stemmed from a screenshot circulating on social media that appeared to show Erçel’s Instagram story with the caption “Who is this uncle?”, seemingly directed at Khan.
The viral post sparked widespread discussion online, with some users interpreting it as disrespectful toward the Indian film icon. However, Erçel took to her official social media account to clarify the situation, calling the screenshot “fake” and stressing that she never made such a statement.
Video clips from the awards, widely shared on platforms like Instagram and X, showed Erçel filming her friend, Egyptian actress Amina Khalil, as she walked the stage alongside Shah Rukh Khan. Many fans initially described Erçel’s actions as a fangirl moment, which contributed to the misunderstanding.
Fact-checking by credible news outlets confirms that the controversial screenshot was fabricated and not posted by Erçel. Her direct denial has been acknowledged by several fan communities, who have praised her for addressing the misinformation promptly.
The incident highlights how quickly manipulated content can spread online, especially when it involves global celebrities and cross-cultural fanbases.
