An old video of actor Naseeruddin Shah criticising Anupam Kher has resurfaced on social media following Kher's recent remarks on the reported theft of donations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple. In the clip, taken from a 2020 interview, Shah describes Kher as a "clown" while commenting on his political views.
The video began circulating after Kher, in an interview with India Today, described the reported theft at the Ram Temple as a "very small issue" and compared it with the attacks and looting of temples during the Mughal period. Following the interview, Shah's earlier remarks about Kher resurfaced online.
In the 2020 interview, Shah was asked about members of the film industry who had either criticised what they viewed as discriminatory politics and policies or openly supported the government. Responding to the question, Shah said, "There are fewer than those who oppose it."
Speaking about Kher, he added, "Someone like Anupam Kher is very vocal. I don't think he needs to be taken seriously. He is a clown. Any number of his contemporaries from NSD and FTII can attest to his sycophantic nature. It's in his blood. He can't help it."
ANUPAM KHER'S RESPONSE TO SHAH
Responding to Shah's remarks at the time, Kher shared a video message on X, saying Shah had a habit of criticising people from the film industry.
"Though I have never said anything bad about you but now I will. You have spent your entire life in frustration, despite achieving so much. If you can criticise Dilip Kumar sahab, Amitabh Bachchan, Rajesh Khanna, Shah Rukh Khan and Virat Kohli, then I'm sure I'm in great company," Kher said.
He further added, "None of them has ever taken your statements seriously, as we all know that due to the substances you have been taking all these years, you don't realise the difference between what is right and what is wrong."
WHAT ANUPAM KHER SAID ABOUT THE AYODHYA TEMPLE THEFT
During his recent interview with India Today, Kher was asked about the reported theft of donations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple. He responded by describing the incident as minor when compared to historical instances of attacks and looting of temples.
He said, "Temples were looted when the Mughals destroyed our temples. When Brahmins were killed, when the wealth of our temples was plundered, when women were raped in the temple premises. That was a far greater tragedy. If we could overcome that pain, then this is a very, very small matter."
The actor further said, "People are making a huge issue out of this. They are saying there has been looting in the temple... such words are being used. Temples were looted when the Mughals destroyed our temples. Temples were looted when Mughal rulers killed Brahmins and collected and weighed their sacred threads. Temples were looted when Mughal emperors came here and took away valuables from every temple. Temples were looted when women were raped within temple premises. That was a far greater tragedy. If we could overcome that, then this issue of theft is a very small matter."
ANUPAM KHER'S UPCOMING FILMS
Anupam Kher will next be seen in Shri Ram Bhoomi, directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh, who recently helmed The Kerala Story 2. The film also stars Ritwik Bhowmik and Amruta Khanvilkar, and is produced by Anuya Chauhan Kudecha, Ritesh Kudecha, Umesh Kumar Bansal, Raedita, Akash Shah, Pranay Chokshi, Kalapi Shah, Kranti Shanbhag, Girish Johar and Meet Mojo.
Kher also has Khosla Ka Ghosla 2 in the pipeline.
