Fact Check: Did Hande Ercel Call Shah Rukh Khan ‘Uncle’ on Social Media? Truth Behind Turkish Actress’ Viral ‘Fangirl’ Moment at Joy Awards 2026
A viral video from the Joy Awards 2026 showing Turkish actress Hande Ercel recording Shah Rukh Khan has sparked a heated debate on the internet. While fans initially dubbed it a 'fangirl' moment, controversy erupted after reports surfaced that Ercel was actually filming her friend and later referred to the Bollywood legend as 'uncle'. Did she really make the remark?
Following the Joy Awards 2026 in Riyadh, social media has been flooded with claims involving Turkish actress Hande Ercel and Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan. A viral video showing Ercel holding her phone while Khan was on stage led to a series of reports first claiming she was secretly recording him and later alleging she dismissed the rumours by calling the Hindi cinema icon "uncle" after the footage went viral. Shah Rukh Khan Attends Joy Awards 2026 in Riyadh, Praises Saudi Arabia’s Warmth, Culture and Hospitality (Watch Video).
As the debate intensifies between fanbases across social media platforms icluding X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, a fact check into the actual footage and Ercel’s social media activity reveals the truth behind the "uncle" comment.
The Claim
Multiple viral posts on X claimed that Hande Ercel was caught secretly filming Shah Rukh Khan during his appearance at the awards ceremony.
Subsequently, a second wave of rumours suggested that Ercel responded to the viral "fangirl" headlines by referring to the 60-year-old actor as "uncle," a term that many interpreted as a disrespectful remark.
Turkish Actress Hande Ercel Spotted Filming SRK at Joy Awards 2026?
Supporting a Friend or Fangirling?
The buzz began when a camera caught Hande Ercel in the audience, holding up her phone to record while Shah Rukh Khan was on stage. At the time, Khan was co-presenting an award with Egyptian actress Amina Khalil.
While Bollywood fan pages immediately dubbed the moment "pure fangirl moment," a closer look at Ercel’s official Instagram stories revealed a different focus. Ercel, who is close friends with Khalil, had tagged the Egyptian star in multiple posts, showing that her primary intention was to capture her friend’s big moment. However, because Khan was prominently in the frame, the clip was widely circulated as a tribute to his global stardom.
Did Hande Ercel Call Shah Rukh Khan 'Uncle'?
The narrative took a sharp turn when reports and a viral screenshot began circulating, claiming that Ercel referred to Shah Rukh Khan as "uncle" in a follow-up post to dismiss the reports. Sharing a picture of Khalil and SRK on stage, the actress wrote, "Who is this uncle? I was just filming my friend @aminakhalilofficial, I am not his fan! Please stop spreading false information!" Katy Perry Sets Joy Awards 2026 Stage on Fire With Show-Stopping Performance in Saudi Arabia (Watch Video).
A Screenshot of Hande Ercel's Instagram Story
Conclusion
While Ercel’s original intention at the theatre was to record her friend Amina Khalil, her subsequent social media post denying the alleged fangirl moment, along with the “uncle” remark, appears to be genuine. A screenshot of her Instagram story supporting the claim has surfaced online as proof. However, her reaction has left the internet divided over the intent behind her message.
Fact check
Hande Ercel Calls Shah Rukh Khan ‘Uncle’ While Refuting Reports That She Recorded Him at Joy Awards 2026
Yes, Hande Ercel did refer to Shah Rukh Khan as ‘uncle’ while denying the viral reports of her alleged fangirling moment
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 19, 2026 11:46 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).