New Delhi: A fresh controversy has erupted in Bollywood after actor-politician Kangana Ranaut reacted sharply to veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah's remarks on celebrities' silence over student protests. Supporting actor-singer Piyush Mishra, Kangana launched a strong attack on Shah through a social media post.
The dispute began after Piyush Mishra criticized Naseeruddin Shah over his comments regarding the film industry's response to student protests, including demonstrations linked to the NEET paper leak controversy.
Kangana Backs Piyush Mishra, Takes Dig at Naseeruddin Shah
Reacting to Mishra's statement, Kangana accused Shah of having conflicting loyalties and said she takes pride in supporting the country she belongs to. In her social media post, Kangana wrote that while everyone serves someone or something, she feels proud of standing with the nation whose support she receives. She also made a sharp remark about Shah's alleged political views and compared their positions.
Kangana further called loyalty an important quality and said she would prefer being compared to a dog rather than a fox, referring to Shah through the term “lomdi”.
What Triggered the Controversy?
The controversy began after Naseeruddin Shah criticized Bollywood personalities for not speaking up during student protests. Shah had earlier compared the film industry to a “dog with a bone in its mouth that cannot bark”, suggesting that many celebrities avoid taking public positions on important issues.
His comments were later criticized by Piyush Mishra during an appearance in Ranchi, where he questioned why voices from the entertainment industry remained silent on student-related issues.
Piyush Mishra Questions Bollywood Silence
Addressing the issue, Mishra said that Shah had earlier questioned the silence of film personalities during protests, but asked where those voices were when students were raising concerns.
Mishra also criticized what he described as a lack of seriousness among some protesters during earlier demonstrations, while highlighting the struggles of students involved in protests. However, he maintained that he respected Naseeruddin Shah as an actor despite disagreeing with his views.