Anupam Kher and Naseeruddin Shah (Photo Credit: Instagram)
New Delhi:
Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah has recently come down heavily on his ‘A Wednesday’ co-star Anupam Kher calling him ‘a clown’ and ‘sycophantic’ in nature. The actor was speaking on the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the silence of big actors on the issue.
“Anupam Kher doesn’t need to be taken seriously. He is a clown. Any numbers of his contemporaries from FTII and NSD can attest to his sycophantic nature. It’s in his blood. He can’t help it,” Shah said. “The others who are opposing it should really decide about what they want to say and don't remind us of our responsibilities, we known our responsibilities.” he further added.
Lauding Deepika Padukone for her JNU visit in the wake of mob attack at the campus two days before the release of her maiden production venture, ‘Chhapaak’, Shah said, “It’s understandable why the established figures of the industry don’t speak up. However, one wonders how much do they have to lose? Will it kill you? You have to laud the courage of a girl like Deepika (Padukone), who is at the top and yet takes a step like this.”
Naseeruddin Shah on Anupam Kher's tweet pic.twitter.com/L2wXVoBYsL
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About the patriotic movies that are being made today, Naseeruddin Shah said film industries have always pandered to those in power. “I really wonder how much conviction there is in these filmmakers who are helping rewrite history,” he said.
Shah, however, praised films like Masaan, Gully Boy and director Anurag Kashyap for their craft. “Films like Masaan, Gully Boy or what Anurag (Kashyap) keeps making would not have happened if the 70s directors would not have paved the path for the younger makers working today. Craft wise, the inexpensive movies made today are far superior than the ones we made in the 70s. I really envy these actors. I wish I was that good when I was their age. Politically though, (movies like) Albert Pinto haven’t had a follow-up generation. However, the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act has united all the free-thinking people of the nation and certainly great art will emerge from that,” Shah said.
This is not the first time Naseeruddin Shah had a fall out with Kher. The actor ‘Hotel Mumbai ‘ actor earlier took a dig at Shah over his remarks in reference to the Bulandshahr violence where a policeman was killed in mob violence over alleged cow slaughter. Kher was quoted as saying by ANI, ''There's so much freedom in the country that you can abuse the army, badmouth the air chief and pelt stones at soldiers. How much more freedom do you need in a country? He said what he felt like, that doesn't mean it's the truth.’’
