Speaking about the ordeal faced by Shah Rukh Khan and Aryan Khan, political commentator and former chancellor of Maulana Azad University, Zafar Sareshwala feels that in the on-going political blitzkrieg between multiple political parties, a father and his son are in agony. He also feels that all sides involved in the case need to show some restraint.

Sareshwala says, “In this political slugfest and the entire mayhem, people have forgotten what an anguished father and a son, one who has a whole life ahead of him, are going through.” When asked about the politics over Aryan Khan’s case an how it’s only to create more problems for him, Sareshwala said, “It is definitely going to create more problems for them and therefore both sides must show some restraint. We may say whatever we can but ultimately it is the family that is suffering.”

Sareshwala reveals that his children have grown up in Mumbai and he too has a 23-year-old son. He says, “I know about the drug menace, but it is also about parenting and in this case there is a child and an anguished father. We have to look at things from their perspective, too. What all is being said and written on social media is appalling. For God’s sake, please don’t call him a druggie. Please don’t brand anybody without knowing anything. It is harming the child.”

He further adds, “With every word that we speak, we are playing with the child’s life—Shah Rukh Khan may be King Khan but you know he is ultimately a father and I just cannot imagine myself in his place today.”

Sareshwala does not want to speak about the question of Shah Rukh Khan having been targeted but he does reiterate, “Right now, a child is suffering, lets conduct politics later. Frankly, it could’ve been anybody’s child, but today it is Shah Rukh Khan’s child who is a victim.”

He recalls an incident about SRK’s noble gesture towards him and Maulana Azad University, which had touched him immensely. He reveals, “In 2016, the university announced that Shah Rukh Khan would be conferred with an honorary doctorate for which the President was supposed to present him the degree. But the President, even though he was in Hyderabad, refused to come for the convocation ceremony. After that the Governor and the Chief Minister too backed out. I remember feeling that the plan would fall through and Shah Rukh Khan would not come for the function. But then I got them call from him that he was taking the flight. This despite the fact that he knew that both the President and the Governor were not going to be there for the function.”

He further adds, “SRK told me, ‘Zafar bhai main aapke aur bachchon ke pyaar ke liye aaya hoon (Zafar bhai I’ve come for your love and the love of the children)’. Not only did he gave away certificates to all the students but delivered a motivational speech, which was one of the best speeches I have ever heard. That is the nobility of the man.”

Sareshwala also reveals that his friends in the film industry have some really nice things to say about Aryan Khan. He says, “My friends from the industry have told me, unlike the other kids, Aryan Khan is a very grounded child and he is just like his father, who is down to Earth and of good character.”