Megastar Shah Rukh Khan who faced backlash after sharing on social media a photo on Diwali in which he sported a tilak, actor Shabana Azmi on Monday came to his defence by calling out "rabid Islamists".

#HappyDiwali to everyone. May your lives be lit up and happy. pic.twitter.com/3ppOAvhTmd

— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) October 27, 2019

"Appalled to read that @iamsrk Diwali greeting invites the wrath of rabid Islamists, gets called a "False Muslim" for sporting a tilak!" FUNDOS get a life! Islam is not so weak that it stands threatened by what is a beautiful Indian custom. India's beauty is in her Ganga Jamuni tehzeeb," tweeted Shabana Azmi.

Appalled to read that @iamsrk Diwali greeting invites wrath of rabid Islamists, gets called a “False Muslim” for sporting a tilak!”FUNDOS get a life! Islam is not so weak that it stands threatened by what is a beautiful Indian custom.Indias beauty is in her GangaJamuni tehzeeb

— Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) October 28, 2019

The actor had on Sunday shared a monochromic picture featuring his wife Gauri Khan and youngest son AbRam Khan where all three of them can be seen sporting tilaks.

In the accompanying note, the actor wished fans and followers "#HappyDiwali" and added "May your lives be lit up and happy."

After the post, Shah Rukh was trolled.

Shahrukh Khan ap ek Muslim ho aur hum sab apko bahut like kartha hai lakin ap isa dewali manana a tho galath bath hai sir aur Allah ak hai Allah ke Seva koi nahi hai sir a sab apko malum hai phir bhi ap isaa festival manathahai

— junaid (@iamzunnu) October 27, 2019

अत्यंत दुःख के साथ शुभकामनाएं देनी पड़ रही है। देखिये एक मुसलमान सपरिवार तिलक लगाकर फोटो ट्वीट कर रहा है। अजीब विडंबना है भाई। स्क्रीन काली करो बे कोई pic.twitter.com/gcVhzt8KK1

— AVNIJESH (@Avnijesh) October 27, 2019

Kabhi eid ki namaz bhi padh liya karo

— Samar Khan (@SamarKh61577392) October 27, 2019

Muslim hote howe Hindu ka Fareeza Ada karna sharam ki Bat hy

— 💔💝Sabeeh Khattak💕💕💖 (@SabeehKtk_10) October 28, 2019

This isn't the first time that Shah Rukh has been criticised for celebrating Hindu festivals.

On the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, the actor was trolled for sharing pictures where he was seen worshipping Lord Ganesha.