Actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut has hit out at veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah following his comments about celebrities staying silent on student protests, saying she would “rather be a dog” than a “lomdi” (fox) like him. Her response came after Shah questioned why leading Bollywood actors had not publicly spoken about the demonstrations held across the country last month.
The exchange has taken place against the backdrop of a political controversy surrounding alleged police action against protesters in Jharkhand. Kangana connected her criticism of Shah to his silence over those protests, while also raising the matter in Parliament and seeking answers over the treatment of students.
Shah had earlier commented on the silence of celebrities, saying they would speak when their conscience prompted them to. He had used the analogy of “a dog with a bone in its mouth” to explain why some celebrities might refrain from speaking out. Kangana later turned the same comparison against him.
On her Instagram Stories, Kangana reposted a comment by actor Piyush Mishra questioning Shah over his silence on the student protests in Jharkhand before adding her own remarks.
In her Hindi-language post, Kangana said that everyone is effectively someone’s “dog” in one way or another, but stated that she was proud to protect and fight for the country that supports her. She also accused Shah of benefiting from India while allegedly supporting its neighbouring country. She then added another remark, saying that being called a dog in today’s time could be considered a compliment because loyalty and cuteness are rare, before stating that she would rather be a dog than a “lomdi” like Naseeruddin.
The remarks mark another public disagreement between the two actors, with Kangana turning Shah’s own analogy into a response. The Jharkhand protests have become a central part of her criticism.
Several job aspirants were protesting near the Jharkhand Assembly over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations when tensions escalated on Monday. Officials said police used water cannons and tear gas and also carried out a lathi-charge. Several protesters and four police personnel were injured during the confrontation.
What is happening in Jharkhand?
The incident has sparked a political confrontation, with several BJP MPs accusing Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of not taking action against the Jharkhand government over the alleged police response. Kangana also raised the issue in Parliament, saying that students in Jharkhand were being subjected to severe treatment and that water cannons and tear gas had been used against them. She demanded answers regarding the incident.
The Jharkhand protest now forms the backdrop to Kangana’s response to Shah. While Shah had used the image of a dog with a bone to suggest that professional interests could prevent celebrities from speaking out, Kangana reversed the comparison, portraying “dog” as a symbol of loyalty and using “lomdi” as a derogatory reference to Shah.
Kangana’s changing stand on Gen Z protests
The latest comments also come shortly after Kangana appeared to change her tone toward Gen Z-led protests. She had previously described Gen Z as a “generation gutter”, attracting criticism for her remarks about young demonstrators.
Days later, however, she offered a more positive assessment during an interaction with PTI, describing Gen Z as a strength and valuable asset for the country. She also said it was encouraging to see young people increasingly presenting India’s culture and identity.
Kangana’s latest criticism of Shah comes amid a broader political debate over student protests, celebrity silence and representation of young Indians. For now, the exchange involving the terms “dog” and “lomdi” has emerged as the latest flashpoint in the ongoing Kangana-Shah dispute, against the backdrop of the controversy surrounding the Jharkhand protests.
