The controversial jig. File picture

Mumbai, Aug 12 (PTI): Superstar Shah Rukh Khan on Tuesday dismissed criticism of his dance with a uniformed female policeman in Calcutta last Saturday, pointing out that no one had raised the uniform issue when he had taken part in similar shows with male soldiers.

He said some people are raking up the issue not because a cop in uniform had danced with him, but because it was a woman.

Last week, Shah Rukh, 48, had lifted a female Calcutta police constable during a dance performance at a police function. In the audience were West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, ministers and state government officials.

Later, some politicians criticised the policewoman for dancing in uniform alongside Shah Rukh at the event.

West Bengal Congress chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury had alleged that Mamata had 'insulted' the Constitution by allowing a female constable in uniform to dance with Khan at the function.

“It is strange, some years back when I was shooting for 'Veer Zaara', I had danced and had fun with the jawans who were in uniform... I had entertained them. In 60s-70s, actors and performers used to go on border and dance and perform for them (jawans) just to encourage as those were the times of war,” Shah Rukh said at an event here on Monday night.

”And in Mumbai also I have done it. I feel it is strange... I don't think it is about uniform, but just because it is a lady in uniform one should talk like this. So, it is a distinction being made between men and women, which I think is completely rubbish and silly. I think it should not be talked about also,” he said.

The actor was talking at the trailer launch of the film 'Ekkees Toppon Ki Salami'.

While the host tried to stop Shah Rukh from answering the controversial question, the superstar chose to reply to it saying, “Let me answer it, tomorrow also there is press conference and they (media) will ask me again about it.”