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Naseeruddin Shah, who is widely acclaimed as one of the most distinguished actors in the industry, does not shy away from expressing his candid opinions. Recently, the seasoned actor shared his apprehensions regarding the surging popularity of movies such as 'Kerala Story,' 'Gadar 2,' and 'The Kashmir Files.' During an insightful interview, Naseeruddin delved into the evolving trends within Bollywood. Notably, his last appearance was in 'Taj: Reign of Revenge,' but presently, he has captured headlines for his directorial endeavor, 'Man Woman Man Woman,' in which he stars alongside his talented wife, Ratna Pathak Shah.
In a conversation with Free Press Journal, Naseeruddin articulated his viewpoint on how the prevailing penchant for films seems to be driven by a fervent nationalism, which, in his view, carries a significant degree of peril. He articulated, "In the current landscape, it appears that the more one champions jingoistic narratives, the more they ascend in popularity. This aligns with the prevailing ethos in our country, where it's not sufficient to simply hold affection for one's homeland; one must loudly extol it and even invent imaginary adversaries. What many fail to comprehend is the harm inherent in such an approach. Although I haven't personally watched movies like 'Kerala Story' and 'Gadar 2,' I am well aware of their themes."
"It is disconcerting that films like 'Kashmir Files' enjoy massive success, while works by filmmakers like Sudhir Mishra, Anubhav Sinha, and Hansal Mehta, who endeavor to portray the authentic essence of their eras, struggle to garner the same attention. Nevertheless, it is crucial for these filmmakers to remain undeterred and persist in their storytelling. They carry the responsibility of preserving truth for future generations. A century from now, viewers will compare 'Bheed' with 'Gadar 2' and discern which one accurately encapsulated the realities of our times, for cinema remains the only medium capable of such a feat. To represent life as it is, without resorting to abstraction, proves to be an arduous task. 'Regressive' seems a rather mild term for the current state of affairs," he continued.
Furthermore, he emphasized, "It is alarming to witness a trend in which filmmakers are being coaxed into producing films that glorify the wrong aspects while needlessly vilifying other communities. This trend is indeed perilous."
Meanwhile, Naseeruddin Shah has made a return to the director's chair after an extensive hiatus of 17 years with the creation of a short film entitled 'Man Woman Man Woman.' This poignant 26-minute film explores themes of love and companionship spanning across two generations. Notably, Naseeruddin Shah also penned the script for this film, which has been released on the official YouTube channel of Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films.
