New Delhi: Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah publicly criticized Mumbai University after he was uninvited from a student event just hours before the scheduled time, calling the decision insulting and dishonest.
In a strongly worded article in the Indian Express titled “When a university speaks the power of truth”, Shah detailed how he was removed from the Jashn-e-Urdu event organized by the university’s Urdu department on February 1, allegedly without any explanation or apology.
According to Shah, he was informed late on the night of 31 January that his presence was no longer required. What happened next, he wrote, was even more disturbing: the audience was told that they had refused to participate.
Add Zee News as favorite source
Shah rejected the claim outright, writing, “The university, after informing me that I was not required to go there… decided to add a pinch of salt by announcing that I had refused to go there.”
The actor, who has often associated with students in his four-decade-long career, said the event holds special meaning for him because of the opportunity to interact with young learners.
He described teaching and engaging with students as some of the “most enjoyable and educational experiences” of his professional life, and said that he benefited more from such interactions than from formal teachers of acting.
Shah suggested that the real reason for his invitation was his public criticism of the current political climate.
Referring to comments reportedly made by a senior university official, he challenged the allegation that he “openly makes statements against the country,” seeking proof of any comments in which he may have demeaned India.
Shah wrote, “Of course, I have never admired the self-proclaimed ‘Vishwaguru’.” He also said that he has been critical of the conduct of the Prime Minister and the actions of the ruling establishment.
In the article, Shah expressed concern over declining freedoms, the treatment of student activists, and the broader social climate, quoting George Orwell’s 1984 position that “not singing the praises of a great leader is considered treason”, underscoring his unease with what he called constant surveillance and “24-hour hatred”.
He wrote, “This is not the country I grew up in and where I was taught to love. ‘Thought police’ and ‘doublespeak’ have been deployed in full force, as has surveillance.”
Recently, musician AR Rahman sparked widespread debate during an interview. With BBC Asian Network, where he discussed his low presence in Bollywood.
Rahman attributed this change to the transfer of power towards corporate, non-creative entities and indicated “communal” undercurrents within the industry.
The industry reaction was swift. While veteran Javed Akhtar argued that producers might be “afraid to approach” a legend like Rehman, filmmaker Subhash Ghai defended his colleague, claiming that the comments were “unnecessarily exaggerated”.
Amid calls for a boycott, Rahman eventually issued an Instagram clarification, reiterating India as his “inspiration” and saying that his “intentions” had been “misunderstood”.
He said, “I have never wished to cause hurt and I hope my sincerity is felt. I feel blessed to be Indian, which enables me to create a space that always allows freedom of expression and celebrates multicultural voices.”