Javed Akhtar weighs in on Naseeruddins comments

Lyricist-scriptwriter Javed Akhtar has offered his take on the reason behind Naseeruddin Shah's statement that late actor Rajesh Khanna was responsible for bringing mediocrity to Bollywood in the 1970s.

"It's simple " Naseeruddin Shah does not like successful people. I have never heard him praise any successful person. He criticises Dilip Kumar. He criticises Amitabh Bachchan," Akhtar said.

Akhtar was speaking at the first Bangalore Poetry Festival organised by Atta Galatta.

Shah's comments created a stir in Bollywood, with scriptwriter Salim Khan attributing the veteran actor's remarks to "frustration and bitterness".

Khanna's daughter, actress Twinkle, said Shah should not have attacked someone who could not defend himself.

In earlier comments, Shah had said that Khanna was a poor actor.

Khanna died of cancer in July 2012 at the age of 69. He acted in films such as Baharon Ke Sapne, Aradhana and Haathi Mere Saathi.

He was nominated for best actor at the Filmfare Awards 14 times and won thrice. He was awarded the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005.

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