Naseeruddin Shah apologises to Pak’s Sindhi speaking population, but wonders if his vilification was needed: ‘Is it necessary to crucify me?’

Naseeruddin Shah's comments about the Sindhi language didn't go down well with many Pakistanis who slammed the actor for being wrong.

Actor Naseeruddin Shah has issued an apology for his remarks. (File photo)

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Actor Naseeruddin Shah has issued an apology for his comment that “Sindhi is no longer spoken in Pakistan” and said he was “ill informed”. The veteran, however, wondered if it was fair to “crucify” him for his remarks. During the promotions of his latest show Taj, Shah had reportedly said, “They have Balochi, they have Bari, they have Siraiki and they have Pushto. Sindhi is, of course, no longer spoken in Pakistan.”

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His comments, made on Tried and Refused Productions’ YouTube channel, didn’t go down well with many Pakistanis who slammed the actor for being wrong. Shah on Sunday posted an apology on his Facebook page for the “entire Sindhi speaking population of Pakistan”. The actor also quipped that he’s enjoying being called “pretend intellectual” by a section.

“OK OK I apologise to the entire Sindhi speaking population of Pakistan who I seem to have deeply offended by my mistaken opinion. I admit I was ill informed but is it necessary to crucify me for that? “Let him who is free from…” as Jesus said. Actually I’m quite enjoying being called ‘ignorant’ and ‘pretend intellectual’ after many years of being mistaken for an intelligent person. It’s quite a change!”

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Before this apology on Sunday, Shah had admitted a few day ago that his statement was indeed erroneous and said it was an “unnecessary” controversy. He was also in a soup for his other comment about the relationship between Marathi and Farsi languages.

“Two completely unnecessary controversies seem to have erupted over things I’ve said recently. One regarding my mis-statement about the Sindhi language in Pakistan. I was in error there,” he had shared.

Pakistani actor Adnan Siddiqui had also appreciated Shah’s apology last week and tweeted, “Apologising for a mistake is indeed a true testament to a person’s character and intellect. Naseer sahib’s recent gesture has only deepened my admiration for him. It takes strength and humility to acknowledge one’s errors and take responsibility for them.”

The actor currently stars as Mughal emperor Akbar in ZEE5’s Taj: Reign of Revenge.

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