A bold and unapologetic Naseeruddin Shah doesn’t believe in mincing words. Though his interviews have time and again landed him in trouble, Shah believes in speaking his mind without fearing the consequences.
In a recent interview , Naseeruddin Shah indirectly blamed Rajesh Khanna for bringing in mediocrity in films. In a recent interview Naseeruddin Shah said,
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,” says Shah about Khanna, who gave hits such as Aradhana (1969), Haathi Mere Saathi (1971) and Anand (1971).”
Twinkle Khanna gives piece of her mind to Naseeruddin Shah On Twitter For Calling Rajesh Khanna A ‘Poor Actor’!
Slyly commenting on Rajesh Khanna and the ‘godly’ status he achieved, Naseeruddin Shah said,
‘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.”
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This clearly didn’t go down too well with Twinkle Khanna. It’s obvious for a daugher to defend her father and she did exactly that. Commenting on Shah’s disparaging remarks against her late father superstar Rajesh khanna , Twinkle took to Twitter to express her displeasure and anger. She tweeted:
Sir if u can’t respect the living ,respect the dead-mediocrity is attacking a man who can’t respond @NaseerudinShah https://t.co/4EdyWmwiNj
— Twinkle Khanna (@mrsfunnybones) July 23, 2016
Her response was supported by her Bollywood best friend, Karan Johar
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
Naseeruddin Shah apologised saying, “I apologise to those who were personally offended, my intention was not to attack him (Rajesh Khanna).”
Twinkle, who was not moved by his apology, took to Twitter to defend her late father’s work.
All due regard toMrShah’s reality,mine=a man who loved cinema& did films likeAnand,AmarPrem,KatiPatang thank u folks for all the love
— Twinkle Khanna (@mrsfunnybones) July 24, 2016
Rajesh Khanna, who made his debut in 1966 with Aakhri Khat, gave several hits like Anand, Haathi Mere Saathi, Kati Patang, Bawarchi and Aradhana. He was officially bestowed with the title The First Superstar of Indian cinema at Dadasaheb Phalke Academy Awards in 2005.