Naseeruddin Shah Says Bollywood¡¯s Silence On Important Issues Isn't New; Refers To Aryan Khan Case

A lot of audiences including Naseeruddin Shah feel that Bollywood¡¯s silence on important issues is just annoying. In an interview with PTI, Shah wondered if anyone will make a film on the ongoing wrestlers¡¯ protest. Naseeruddin himself has been an actor who speaks his mind without hesitation and he¡¯s proud of it.

AFP

Naseeruddin returned as emperor Akbar once again in the popular Zee5 period drama 'Taj: Reign of Revenge'.

Talking about the prevalence of hatred, Shah told the news agency, "The atmosphere of hate makes it worse, makes it stronger, and that's why this is happening. So, everyone is scared. Not that the Hindi film industry was particularly politically or socially aware at any stage. You had filmmakers like K A Abbas, V Shantaram, very progressive movies¡­¡±

"But when has the Hindi film industry ever rolled up its sleeves and tackled a subject which is crying out to be tackled? Will anyone make a film on these girl wrestlers, who brought us medals...? Will anyone dare make a film? Because they are scared of the repercussions. It is nothing new that the Hindi film industry is keeping mum on important issues, they always have¡±, he added.

Shah referred to female wrestlers' accusation of sexual harassment against Wrestling Federation of India chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

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Naseeruddin further shared that films are the strongest medium because of their natural reach to audiences. Shah said, "Right now, it is Muslim hate, which is very, very popular." Asked about Bollywood staying mum on important issues, Shah shared, "...I think they all are scared of the amount they have to lose and the personal harassment.¡±

Also Read: ¡®Absolute Nonsense¡¯, Naseeruddin Shah Believes Akbar Never Wanted To Start A New Religion

¡°I think the imprisonment of young Aryan Khan was a message that if we can do this (to) Shah Rukh (Khan) we can do it to anybody, so watch out. That was the message." This statement was about Aryan being arrested in drugs on cruise case by the Narcotics Control Bureau in 2021.

HT

Shah is not scared of speaking his mind but fears ¡®for the future of the country¡¯.

"...because we seem to be heading backwards and that is very scary," he said, adding that an interview he gave a couple of years ago invited a lot of hate and even "a fully refundable ticket to Pakistan¡­ It (the interview) got me a lot of hate, letters full of abuse, one of the guys sent me a ticket to Pakistan fully refundable, Bombay to Colombo to Karachi, I think I have still got that with me.¡±

AFP

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