Shahid Kapoor clarifies that he did not diss Salman Khan in recent podcast; says 'Will never take a dig at someone so senior and established'

Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor, who is currently on the final leg of promotions for his upcoming film Deva, has addressed speculation that he took a dig at superstar Salman Khan.
Sasha kicked up quite the controversy after his remarks in a recent podcast went viral. The actor, who was in conversation with Raj Shamani, had mentioned that some actors have an inflated sense of self. While imitating their moon-eyed facial expressions, he remarked that these actors in the film industry are "full of themselves." The video led many to speculate that he was referring to Salman, sparking a wave of criticism.

Following the backlash, the actor, in conversation at HT City's Stars in the City event in New Delhi, he set the record straight, asserting that the person he was talking about was not Salman Khan. “Haan, but mujhe ek-do logo ne message kiya aisa soch ke. Main toh honestly naa aise hi baat kar raha tha, socha bhi nahi tha (One or two people even texted me about this thinking the same. I didn't even think when I was responding, I just said it like that),” he explained.
Shahid further clarified that he has immense respect for Khan and would never take a dig at someone so well-established. He said, “But if I want to take a dig, it will never be at somebody who is so senior, so established, and who I have so much respect for. Just to clear that out!"

Shahid is all set to release his film Deva in cinemas tomorrow. The film which will see him in an action avatar, is set to enjoy an undisputed run at the box office. The movie has already scored a Rs 1.5 crore gross advance booking (with blocked seats). The numbers are expected to rise to give the film an opening that is estimated to be around Rs 5-10 crore.