New Delhi, Apr 16 (IANS): His remarks over the “growing intolerance” in the country created a stir in politics and over social media last year and Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan says that he became “sad” and felt like “crying” when he was asked to prove his patriotism.

Shah Rukh said at an event in November last year that there was "nothing worse than religious intolerance and that it would take India to the Dark Ages".

Later his remarks were criticised by many political leaders.

“Sometimes I feel very sad, I even feel like crying, that I should be made to say that I belong to this country, I am a patriot. I am a patriot, rather we all are. We do not have to compete with others to say we are patriots,” Shah Rukh said on TV show “Aap Ki Adalat”, aired on India TV.

“I get very sad sometimes when I am supposed to explain each and every time how good a patriot am I... I will tell all young people to be tolerant, be happy, work hard and take this nation forward. Small, petty matters should not harm our nation's interest,” he said.

Shah Rukh, who can currently be seen onscreen in a double role in Maneesh Sharma's “Fan”, said people should move forward without any hatred in minds.

"We should just move forward with positivity as we live in the greatest country in the world. We are one of the safest and most beautiful nations of the world. We should not tie up ourselves in petty obscurantist issues,” Shah Rukh said.

“Whether my film ('Fan') is a hit or not, I want to say for the last time, I will not repeat it again, that there is no patriot greater than me in this country.

"Our country, our motherland, Bharat Mata, we all love it, why should we have a talk like this... I am the most proud Indian in the world because nobody has got more from this country than me... I hope I can work for the greatness of my nation and so does my family,” Shah Rukh said.

Not only Shah Rukh, Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan also came in for criticism in the same month post his comments on "growing despondency" in India.