Naseeruddin Shah had no right to call Rajesh Khanna a ‘poor actor’. Not just Twinkle Khanna, we are raging too

Naseeruddin, who has earned his stripes as a discerning actor, said during an interview to a national daily, “It was the 70’s when mediocrity came in Hindi films. That’s when the actor called Rajesh Khanna joined the industry. For all his success, I think Mr Khanna was a very limited actor. In fact, he was a poor actor. Intellectually, he wasn’t the most alert person I have ever met. His taste ruled the industry,” said Naseeruddin.

Naseeruddin further went on to say, “The quality of script, acting, music and lyrics deteriorated. Colour came in. You could make a heroine wear a purple dress and hero a red shirt, go to Kashmir and make a movie. You didn’t need a story. This trend continued and I certainly think Mr Khanna had something to do with it because he was God in those days.”

Blaming the mediocrity of Bollywood on one person? And that too a man who is dead and gone and faded from silver screen decades ago. To jog your memory and Naseeruddin’s, Rajesh Khanna is the same actor who gave superhits such as Ittefaq and Aradhana, Kati Patang and Amar Prem, Anand and Bawarchi. He worked with masters such as Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Yash Chopra to give Bollywood some of its most lasting memories. He is called India’s first superstar, a man who gave Amitabh Bachchan a run for his money for many years.

His films were sensitive and humane and dealt with social issues. From prostitution (Amar Prem), rights of workers (Namak Haram) to widow remarriage (Kati Patang) and elderly abuse (Avtaar), his films came imbued with a philosophical, socially-relevant edge.

Rajesh died of cancer in 2012. He had received three Filmfare awards in his career and is the only actor who gave 15 back-to-back hits in his career. A record that is still to be broken. Yes, his work was populist. Yes, his work signified Hindi cinema’s movement away from reality but at the same time, you can’t take away his credibility and what he stood for.

Twinkle Khanna called out Naseeruddin Shah for terming dad, late actor Rajesh Khanna, a mediocre actor.

Was Rajesh Khanna a superstar and an accomplished actor? Answer to this question will vary based on whom you ask but you can’t take away his rich body of work and accolades he received in his career.

Naseer, however, went a step ahead. Not just Rajesh’s acting acumen, Naseeruddin passed disparaging personal comments as well. If his fans will find issue with “limited, poor actor,” a daughter can’t let go a comment like, “intellectually, he wasn’t the most alert person I have ever met”. Expectedly then, Twinkle retaliated on the social media, asking Naseeruddin to “if u can’t respect the living ,respect the dead-mediocrity is attacking a man who can’t respond.”

Also read: Naseeruddin Shah sorry for insulting Rajesh Khanna, angry daughter Twinkle Khanna won’t forgive

Realising his mistake, Naseeruddin Shah apologised. India Today tweeted, “I apologise to those who were personally offended, my intention was not to attack him (Rajesh Khanna).” For Twinkle and for Rajesh’s fans, maybe this will not suffice. The incensed daughter, for one, took to Twitter again and wrote, “All due regard toMrShah’s reality, mine=a man who loved cinema& did films like Anand, AmarPrem, KatiPatang thank u folks for all the love.”

Twinkle got a lot of support from Rajesh’s fans and industry. It seems Naseeruddin, another one who speaks his mind, has bitten off more than he can chew. After questioning the legacy of India’s first superstar, he won’t be forgiven by either his fans or his daughter.

@mrsfunnybones the legend of Rajesh Khanna cannot be even mildly affected by the callous words of Naseer Saab.

— kunal kohli (@kunalkohli) July 24, 2016

I agree with you @mrsfunnybones…due respect to seniority but this was in exceptionally bad taste and not becoming of a fraternity member..

— Karan Johar (@karanjohar) July 23, 2016