Naseeruddin Shah confronts disturbing popularity of 'The Kashmir Files' & 'Gadar 2,' calls it harmful

Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah is known for his candid views, and has recently expressed deep concern over the immense popularity of films like "The Kashmir Files," "The Kerala Story," and "Gadar 2." In a recent interview with Free Press Journal, he voiced his apprehensions, labelling the impact of these movies as "very harmful." 

Naseeruddin urged filmmakers such as Sudhir Mishra and Hansal Mehta to persevere with their distinctive work, even if their films currently have a smaller viewership.

Discussing the evolving landscape of Bollywood filmmaking, Naseeruddin emphasized the changing dynamics. 

He observed, "Today, it appears that the more jingoistic a film is, the greater its popularity, as this seems to be the prevailing trend in our country. Merely professing love for one's nation is no longer sufficient; one must loudly beat the drums of patriotism and invent imaginary adversaries. What these filmmakers may not realize is the potential harm in their approach." 

He expressed concern that movies like "Kerala Story" and "Gadar 2," which he admitted to not having seen but understood their themes, have gained significant popularity, while films by directors like Sudhir Mishra, Anubhav Sinha, and Hansal Mehta, who strive to portray the truth of their times, struggle to find the audience they deserve.

He asserted that a century from now, people will assess films like "Bheed" alongside movies like "Gadar 2" to discern which authentically reflects the realities of their era. 

In the realm of Naseeruddin's upcoming projects, he is set to grace the screen in Vishal Bhardwaj's "Charlie Chopra." This Sony LIV original series also features his wife, Ratna Pathak Shah, and their two sons, Vivaan Shah and Imaad Shah, alongside prominent actors like Chandan Roy Sanyal, Priyanshu Painyuli, and Paoli Dam.