Anupam Kher reveals Naseeruddin Shah apologised after calling him a ‘clown’

Veteran actors Anupam Kher and Naseeruddin Shah, who were publicly at odds in 2020, appear to have finally moved past their long-running feud. The clash began after Kher voiced pro-government opinions following Deepika Padukone’s controversial visit to JNU. Shah had criticised Kher sharply, calling him a “clown” and questioning his “blood” and upbringing, while Kher responded on social media with equal force, accusing Shah of frustration despite his success.

In a recent interview with Unfiltered by Samdish, recorded around Independence Day, Kher revealed that Shah has since apologised. “He said, ‘Sorry yaar’,” Kher shared, recalling an encounter at filmmaker H.D. Pathak’s memorial service where Shah hugged him during their greeting. “I really like him a lot, and he is one of the actors who inspired me to get into acting,” Kher added, reflecting on the complexities of their relationship.

Despite the apology, Kher admitted he still feels Shah occasionally harbours bitterness. “I still feel I have great respect for Naseer. However, he sometimes has loose-talk conversations about me,” he said. Kher also pointed out that this bitterness sometimes extends to legendary actors like Dilip Kumar and Rajesh Khanna. “He is a brilliant and intelligent man and God has given him so much. Nobody is a bigger star than him in parallel cinema. Yet I think there is some kind of bitterness that targets sometimes me, sometimes Dilip Kumar, and sometimes Rajesh Khanna,” Kher explained.

Looking back, the 2020 disagreement escalated when Shah praised Deepika Padukone’s stand for JNU students and dismissed Kher’s political remarks, calling him a “clown… it’s in his blood, he can’t help it.” Kher responded on X, saying, “You have spent your entire life, despite all the success, in frustration… This is not you talking but all the substances you have consumed for years. They have clouded your judgment.”

The actors had previously worked together in Neeraj Pandey’s Aiyaary (2018), starring Sidharth Malhotra. Now, with Shah’s apology and Kher’s willingness to move forward, one of Bollywood’s most talked-about conflicts seems to have softened, at least for the moment. While past disagreements are remembered, Kher emphasises mutual respect and the long-standing influence Shah has had on his career.

Their story highlights the complicated nature of relationships in the film industry, where admiration, rivalry, and personal emotions often intersect, shaping public and private narratives alike.