Turkish actress Hande Erçel has been making headlines in India ever since the Joy Awards 2026 in Riyadh on January 17. While her appearance at the star-studded event and interactions with global celebrities drew attention, a social media rumour quickly overshadowed it—claiming she had called Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan “uncle.”
The claim went viral almost immediately, sparking memes, debates, and heated online discussions. Hande has now addressed the situation to clarify the truth.
How the rumor started
A video from the awards showed Hande filming co-host Amina Khalil during the event. Many viewers misinterpreted it as her filming Shah Rukh Khan, suggesting she was being a “fangirl.”
The situation escalated when a screenshot allegedly from Hande’s Instagram Stories went viral. It reportedly read:
“Who is this uncle? I was just filming @aminakhalilofficial. I am not his fan!! Please stop spreading false information!!”
Hers is the truth
Hande took to Twitter to clear the air, stating that the screenshot was fake. She clarified that she was filming her friend, not Shah Rukh Khan, and asked fans to stop sharing misinformation.
The incident highlights how quickly false content can spread online, even involving major celebrities, and serves as a reminder to check facts before believing viral posts.
