Hakla Shah Rukh Khan meme refuses to die despite takedown attempts; goes viral again

Social media trends and viral memes based on celebs in not a new concept, and if often takes the internet by storm. One such trend currently sweeping across social media is the “Hakla Shah Rukh Khan” meme, a viral sensation that refuses to fade. Even as reports suggest attempts were made by Shah Rukh Khan’s team to remove the content, it continues to surface on various social media platforms.

Where did it begin

The meme includes an exaggerated, cartoonish image of SRK’s face morphed onto a comedian donning a bizarre hairstyle similar to his iconic stutter in the film Darr. Users mock his repeated "K–K–K–Kiran" dialogue delivery, using the Hindi term "hakla", meaning “stammerer,” to spotlight it. This odd visual and verbal combo first surfaced in a parody video nearly a decade ago but only recently surged thanks to meme page resharing, GIFs, and remixed clips.

Why is it still trending

According to social media creator Glokus, the meme’s less popularity changed into internet gold when users began spreading it again recently. Despite platform removal measures, “Hakla Shah Rukh Khan” once again went viral as parody meme pages revived it with creative edits and comical audio.

SRK tried to take this down

According to various reports available online, SRK’s team attempted to remove the offending GIF across platforms. Instagram reportedly purged the original image in mid-2024, and Meta cited policy violations tied to bullying and harassment. But rather than disappearing, the meme found new ways to survive, some fans used ASCII art recreations, misspelled hashtags like “H@kl@,” and abstract dot-art versions to bypass moderation.

This meme gave rise to various other viral memes

The meme’s popularity spurred spin-offs like Salman Khan became “Suja Salman,” Akshay Kumar became “Banana Akki,” and even political figures weren’t spared. Instagram reels featuring figures like PM Narendra Modi as “Sai NaMo” went viral, with meme makers celebrating “Hakla Never Dies” as their rallying cry.

The persistent “Hakla Shah Rukh Khan” meme is an example that once something goes online, it’s nearly impossible to erase. And in today’s social media landscape, that persistence speaks louder than any takedown notice.