One needs to have women to have men, says SRK

New Delhi: Superstar Shah Rukh Khan has said women are the future and that "one needs to have women to have men", so they must be respected.

"It is important to talk about women who are making progress, taking our country forward and it is time to celebrate a little bit of brightness and positivity. You need to have women to have men," the 47-year-old said here Thursday night at the launch of the Link Lady collection of watch brand Tag Heuer.

The evening also celebrated the power of women by felicitating four Indian women achievers, who have excelled and contributed tremendously to their respective fields.

Among those commemorated were Sara Pilot, for her contribution to charitable causes through her organisation Cequin; Pia Singh, for her work in the country's luxury retail sector; Ritu Beri for being the pioneer of Indian fashion; and Olympic Bronze medallist Saina Nehwal for excellence in the field of sports.

Shah Rukh, looking dapper in a black suit, said it's time to celebrate the women "who are the leaders of India".

"It has been a few months now that we are witnessing all the news against women in India. Now everyone wants to come out and vehemently oppose the atrocity that happens with women in our country and around the globe.

"I think these are the negative feelings that are happening, so it becomes more important to have few sparks of brightness, beauty and goodness," said the actor, who kept to his late-coming tradition, and turned up two hours later than the scheduled time.

The evening started with aerial and ground ballet performances, followed by the unveiling of the watch collection by Shah Rukh and TAG Heuer president and CEO, Jean-Christophe Babin.

Those who attended the event included Omar Abdullah, Farooq Abdullah, Shashi and Sunanda Tharoor, Sachin Pilot, Manav Gangwani, Anupama Dayal, Varun Bahl, Rohit Gandhi and Sanjay Kapoor.