Before memes became the compulsive trend they are today, social media had moments, few, but noteworthy, that managed to shake the internet. The 2010s, in particular, marked a digital transformation, where the meme culture took off rapidly, merging humour with virality. But not all that trended was harmless fun. Among the early desi internet fads was the so-called ‘Hakla Shah Rukh Khan’ meme, a heavily morphed image that mocked the iconic actor using a derogatory stereotype. Over a decade later, this meme continues to resurface, despite repeated attempts by Shah Rukh Khan’s team to get it removed from platforms. But who is the ‘Hakla GIF’ guy, and why does this content remain problematic? What Is Wrong With Shah Rukh Khan’s Instagram Comments Section? Trolls Spam It With Morphed GIFs and Insulting Replies. 

Who Is the ‘Hakla GIF’ Guy? The Misuse of SRK’s Image: Meme or Mockery?

Contrary to belief, the viral ‘Hakla Shah Rukh Khan’ image is not of the actor himself. It is a digitally manipulated creation, featuring SRK’s face edited onto an unknown individual, reportedly a comedian, with exaggerated features and an unkempt hairstyle. This distortion was paired with mimicry of SRK’s stammer from his 1993 film Darr, turning his iconic “K-K-K-Kiran” dialogue into a mocking internet trope. The meme’s viral appeal lay not in humour, but in its ridicule, using the Hindi word “hakla,” a derogatory term for someone who stammers. After ‘Hakla Shah Rukh Khan’ Meme, New ‘Hakla Pay’ Trend Targets National Award Winner To Insult Him – Here’s What the Viral ‘Video’ Means.

Hakla Shah Rukh Khan Meme Origin and Controversy

According to digital content creator Glowkus, the meme first gained momentum around 2013 on Facebook. It was never Shah Rukh Khan himself, but rather a mimicry artist’s over-the-top impersonation that triggered the trend. What began as a spoof quickly morphed into bullying, with meme pages, GIFs, and short clips exploiting the stutter trope for laughs. While some may argue it was all in jest, the term “hakla” is inherently offensive and ableist, targeting a speech disability and reducing a character's performance to a cruel stereotype.

Hakla Shah Rukh Khan Meme

When Meme Culture Crosses a Line

Despite repeated efforts from SRK’s legal and PR team, platforms have struggled to contain its spread. In 2024, Meta (Instagram’s parent company) removed the original image for violating policies related to harassment and bullying. But the meme continues to resurface in altered formats — from GIFs and stickers to parodies and remixes, with little regard for its derogatory undertones.

Hakla Shah Rukh Khan Meme Origin

 

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The Hakla GIF Image Is Everywhere

Is 'Hakla' GIF Still Available?

 

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A post shared by Shivam SR.. (@sr_badshah2024)

Huhhh

 

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Make It Make Sense

 

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A post shared by Sarcasmic Boi (@sarcasmic.boi)

Why It Still Matters Today

Even as Shah Rukh Khan continues to break barriers, from box-office records to winning a National Award, moments like these resurface, reminding us how internet humour can veer into insensitivity. The meme has inspired similarly problematic spoofs, such as ‘Suja Salman’ and ‘Banana Akki,’ targeting other Bollywood actors through exaggerated visuals and demeaning content.

What’s concerning is the normalisation of such language and humour, especially among younger internet users. While parody and satire have long been tools of expression, there’s a fine line between critique and cruelty. The “Hakla SRK” meme crossed that line by mocking a fictional character’s speech pattern and turning it into a long-running internet insult directed at a real person.

It’s time to reassess the kind of humour we amplify online critically. There’s nothing iconic or funny about ridiculing disabilities or real people under the guise of memes. Internet culture must evolve beyond these relics of toxic trolling and create space for humour that doesn't punch down.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 06, 2025 06:13 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).