<p>Author JK Rowling has finally opened up about her absence from the <em>Harry Potter</em> reunion special, saying she made a conscious decision to skip it.</p>.<p>In an interview on Saturday as part of Graham Norton’s Radio Show Podcast, Rowling addressed the rumours claiming she wasn't invited for the 20th anniversary reunion special of the <em>Harry Potter</em> movies, based on her book series, that aired on <em>HBO Max</em> on January 1.</p>.<p>The 57-year-old writer, who faced backlash on social media over her stance on women’s rights issues and trans community, clarified she was asked to be a part of the special but she decided not to attend it.</p>.<p>“Yeah, I was asked to be on that and I decided I didn’t want to do it. I thought it was about the films more than the book, quite rightly, that was what the anniversary was about," Rowling said.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/paul-rudd-joins-only-murders-in-the-building-season-3-cast-1138929.html" target="_blank">Paul Rudd joins 'Only Murders in the Building' Season 3 cast</a></strong></p>.<p>"No one said don’t (do it)... I was asked to do it and I decided not to," she added.</p>.<p>The reunion special featured Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson, the leading trio of the <em>Harry Potter</em> film franchise, along with filmmaker Chris Columbus and other cast members.</p>.<p>During the interview, Rowling also talked about the recent death threat she received on social media after she condemned the attack on fellow author Salman Rushdie.</p>.<p>"I try to behave online as I would like others to behave... I've never threatened anyone. I certainly wouldn't want anyone to go to their houses or anything like that.</p>.<p>"Social media can be a lot of fun, and I do like the pub argument aspect of it. That can be a fun thing to do... I sort of have a love-hate relationship with it now. I can happily go for a few days without getting into a (virtual) pub brawl," Rowling said.</p>.<p>Earlier this month, Rushdie, who faced Islamist death threats for years after writing <em>The Satanic Verses</em>, was stabbed by a 24-year-old New Jersey resident identified as Hadi Matar, on stage during a literary event of the Chautauqua Institution in Western New York.</p>.<p>At the time, Rowling had come out in support of Rushdie and tweeted, "Horrifying news. Feeling very sick right now. Let him be ok."</p>.<p>A user <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/j-k-rowling-gets-death-threat-over-tweet-on-salman-rushdie-attack-1136067.html" target="_blank">commented </a>on her post, saying "Don't worry you are next." Rowling had reported the post to Twitter and later said that police in Scotland were investigating the matter.</p>
<p>Author JK Rowling has finally opened up about her absence from the <em>Harry Potter</em> reunion special, saying she made a conscious decision to skip it.</p>.<p>In an interview on Saturday as part of Graham Norton’s Radio Show Podcast, Rowling addressed the rumours claiming she wasn't invited for the 20th anniversary reunion special of the <em>Harry Potter</em> movies, based on her book series, that aired on <em>HBO Max</em> on January 1.</p>.<p>The 57-year-old writer, who faced backlash on social media over her stance on women’s rights issues and trans community, clarified she was asked to be a part of the special but she decided not to attend it.</p>.<p>“Yeah, I was asked to be on that and I decided I didn’t want to do it. I thought it was about the films more than the book, quite rightly, that was what the anniversary was about," Rowling said.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/paul-rudd-joins-only-murders-in-the-building-season-3-cast-1138929.html" target="_blank">Paul Rudd joins 'Only Murders in the Building' Season 3 cast</a></strong></p>.<p>"No one said don’t (do it)... I was asked to do it and I decided not to," she added.</p>.<p>The reunion special featured Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson, the leading trio of the <em>Harry Potter</em> film franchise, along with filmmaker Chris Columbus and other cast members.</p>.<p>During the interview, Rowling also talked about the recent death threat she received on social media after she condemned the attack on fellow author Salman Rushdie.</p>.<p>"I try to behave online as I would like others to behave... I've never threatened anyone. I certainly wouldn't want anyone to go to their houses or anything like that.</p>.<p>"Social media can be a lot of fun, and I do like the pub argument aspect of it. That can be a fun thing to do... I sort of have a love-hate relationship with it now. I can happily go for a few days without getting into a (virtual) pub brawl," Rowling said.</p>.<p>Earlier this month, Rushdie, who faced Islamist death threats for years after writing <em>The Satanic Verses</em>, was stabbed by a 24-year-old New Jersey resident identified as Hadi Matar, on stage during a literary event of the Chautauqua Institution in Western New York.</p>.<p>At the time, Rowling had come out in support of Rushdie and tweeted, "Horrifying news. Feeling very sick right now. Let him be ok."</p>.<p>A user <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/j-k-rowling-gets-death-threat-over-tweet-on-salman-rushdie-attack-1136067.html" target="_blank">commented </a>on her post, saying "Don't worry you are next." Rowling had reported the post to Twitter and later said that police in Scotland were investigating the matter.</p>