Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah recently found himself at the center of a heated online controversy after he publicly supported singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh amid the ongoing backlash surrounding the film Sardaar Ji 3. The film, which stars Pakistani actress Hania Aamir alongside Diljit, faced severe criticism and was even barred from release in India due to objections from the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), citing national sentiments following recent terror attacks.
In a now-deleted Facebook post, Shah defended Diljit, stating that the actor had no control over the casting and that the decision was made by the director. He expressed unwavering support by writing, “I stand firmly with Diljit,” and further criticized what he called the “dirty tricks department of the Jumla Party,” implying political motivations behind the outrage. He also shared his personal views on cultural ties between India and Pakistan, revealing he has close relatives and friends in Pakistan, and responded to trolls asking him to “go to Pakistan” with the sharp remark, “Go to Kailasa,” a reference to the controversial self-proclaimed spiritual leader Nithyananda’s so-called island nation.
However, the post triggered significant backlash within hours, drawing criticism from politicians and public figures. BJP MLA Ram Kadam accused Shah of being anti-Hindu and demanded an apology, while filmmaker Ashoke Pandit called Shah “frustrated and restless,” questioning his sensitivity toward national issues. Under this wave of criticism, Shah deleted his original statement and instead posted a cryptic quote from 18th-century philosopher Georg Christoph Lichtenberg: “It is almost impossible to carry the torch of truth through a crowd without singeing somebody’s beard.” This cryptic note left many wondering if the deletion was a result of public pressure or a deliberate choice to let his silence speak louder than his words.
The incident highlights the increasingly tense intersection of cinema, politics, and nationalism in India today, where even seasoned voices like Shah’s are not spared from online vitriol when they take a stand on sensitive cultural matters.
