Turkish actress Hande Ercel sparks online buzz after a viral ‘Who is this uncle?’ remark about Shah Rukh Khan at Joy Awards 2026. Here’s what really happened.
Turkish actress Hande Ercel sparks online buzz after a viral ‘Who is this uncle?’ remark about Shah Rukh Khan [Photo: X]
Turkish actress Hande Ercel made headlines after a moment at the Joy Awards 2026 went viral online. A video clip capturing the actress recording Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan at the awards show set off a wave of reactions, prompting widespread discussion on social media.
The brief exchange, especially the phrase “Who is this uncle?” became a talking point for fans and critics alike, sparking debate about intent and context.
Hande Ercel is one of Turkey’s most popular actresses and models. She rose to fame through hit Turkish television dramas and has a massive fan following across Europe, the Middle East, and South Asia.
Known for her screen presence and fashion influence, she regularly appears at international events. Ercel is also among the most followed Turkish celebrities on Instagram. Over the years, she has spoken about her interest in global cinema, including Indian films.
At the Joy Awards 2026 in Riyadh, Shah Rukh Khan was present to present an award and made several appearances on stage with fellow actors. A video from the event showed Hande Ercel holding up her phone while capturing the scene, which included Shah Rukh and Egyptian actress Amina Khalil.
Social media users quickly picked up the clip, with many fans calling Hande a “total fangirl” due to her focus on the camera as Shah Rukh appeared. As the footage circulated, many interpreted the moment as a spontaneous tribute to the Bollywood superstar’s global appeal.
The situation took a turn when a screenshot began circulating online claiming to show an Instagram story by Ercel with the caption, “Who is this uncle? I was just filming my friend @aminakhalilofficial, I am not his fan! Please stop spreading false information!”
This prompted a fresh wave of commentary from fans and critics alike, with some viewing the comment as dismissive and others saying it was taken out of context.
There are mixed claims about the authenticity of the screenshot. While some fact-checking posts treat the story as genuine, others say it was either deleted or may have been misused and shared without clear sourcing. In any case, the remark spread widely across platforms, including X and Instagram, further fueling the discussion.
Several posts shared by Hande Ercel during the Joy Awards featured her close friend, Egyptian actress Amina Khalil. In most of her stories, Ercel tagged Amina and focused on her presence at the event.
Shah Rukh Khan appeared only briefly in one of the clips. This supports the claim that Ercel was filming her friend rather than the Bollywood star. Amina Khalil also shared similar content from the same event on her own social media.
The phrase “Who is this uncle?” struck a chord for a few reasons. First, Shah Rukh Khan is viewed as a living legend in Indian cinema with decades of stardom, and fans often react strongly to comments they perceive as disrespectful. Second, the attention around the incident highlights how quickly celebrity interactions can be amplified and debated online.
Some fans defended Ercel, saying she was simply supporting her friend Amina Khalil, an Egyptian actress at the event, and that her comment was meant only to correct misinformation.
Hande Ercel rose to international fame through popular Turkish television dramas. She became a household name after starring in “Güneşin Kızları”, which brought her widespread recognition in Turkey. Her global popularity surged with “Aşk Laftan Anlamaz” (Love Doesn’t Understand Words), where her performance earned a strong fan following across Asia and the Middle East.
She later starred in “Halka” and “Sen Çal Kapımı” (You Knock on My Door), the latter becoming one of the most-streamed Turkish series worldwide. Beyond television, Ercel has also appeared in films and high-profile fashion campaigns. She is a frequent face at international events and continues to expand her presence beyond Turkish entertainment.
