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Compliments to Pakistan shouldn't be construed as anti-Indian, says Naseeruddin Shah

Naseeruddin Shah responds to the backlash following his comments in praise of Pakistan

15 Oct, 2015

It isn't easy for Indian celebrities to speak up for Pakistan, and those who do, are almost always faced with a backlash.

Naseeruddin Shah was trolled on Twitter following comments he made in praise of Pakistan at the launch of a book by Pakistan's former foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri.

In an interview with India Today, Shah said that he believed that he was targeted because he was a Muslim:

"My name is Naseeruddin Shah and I believe that's why I was targeted. It really pains me to say this. I have never ever been aware of my identity until now."

He added that lawyer AG Noorani and veteran journalist Dileep Padgaonkar made some hard-hitting comments at the event, but only his views were picked up and distorted as anti-national.

“I do not actually understand why anything said as a compliment to Pakistan must be construed as anti-Indian. If I say Imran Khan is great, does that make Sunil Gavaskar any less a cricketer,” the Bollywood actor asked.

More than 40 writers recently returned their awards in protest against the lynching of a Muslim man in Dadri and a series of murders of writers and rationalists, but Shah neither considers the move necessary nor beneficial.

"Awards mean nothing to me and therefore I won't bother returning them," Shah said, adding that the writers should write strongly about issues in India rather than returning their awards.

Comments

khanm Oct 15, 2015 04:32pm

Compliments to Pakistan shouldn't be construed as anti-Indian, says Naseeruddin Shah....Compliments to India shouldn't be construed as anti-Pakistan , says M H KHAN....We are mentally prepared for insults, but compliments leave us baffled.....

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tamil Oct 15, 2015 05:25pm

@khanm Lack of trust and our insecurities is the reason.

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Murali -Neutral Indian Oct 15, 2015 05:41pm

Naseeruddin Shah is a thorough gentleman.. his strength of character reflecting in the way he has responded gracefully to even the most rabid attack on his character. The bigots who are targetting him should be strongly opposed by all right thinking people. Shiv Sena and all hate mongers are trying desperately for mind space, which they should never be allowed to get. Hope these lesser humans are shown their rightful place - dustbins of history

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Umair Khalid Oct 15, 2015 05:49pm

Reasonable GentleMan!!!

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southram Oct 15, 2015 05:49pm

My Pak friends, Please tell how many Naseeruddin Shah's you have in Pakistan? We have plenty of them in India. How will an average Pakistani react if at all you glorify, by chance, any Indian.

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Zubair Oct 15, 2015 06:19pm

@southram - where do you live ? Lata Mangeshka, Muhammad Rafi, and numerous others in Indian film industry are revered by hundreds of millions of Pakistanis

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Aussieman Oct 15, 2015 06:23pm

@southram Not long ago around 2003 or 4 ndian cricket toured Pakistan and I still remember they won the match against Pakistan in Lahore. Everywhere they were glorified and Indian flags were being waved In Lahore Kazafi stadium. Indian players were congratulated and cheered by our own Pakistanis. Iwill never forget that sweet moment.

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Tilak Oct 15, 2015 06:56pm

@Zubair Glad you think that Mohamed Rafi is Indian. That is what it takes to be a secular country.

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s.khan Oct 15, 2015 07:38pm

It is tough to be a muslim in India in the limelight. At one time Dileep Kumar was also targeted by the Shiv Sena. Of course, late M.F. Hussein, famous artist, was hounded out of the country. He died in exile in London.

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Jai Oct 15, 2015 07:55pm

"Shah said that he believed that he was targeted because he was a Muslim" Someone needs to remind Mr. Shah that if he were targeted for being Muslim in India, he would not have achieved all the name, fame, and riches he so willingly accepts today. Its shocking to see Mr. Shah, who has received so much love and respect in India, talk so poorly about Indians.

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bush Oct 15, 2015 07:57pm

Difficulty in getting visa for Pakistan by hindus and safety issues make it a burden for pakistan to show that it has an open and tolerant society.Hosting muslims from India can only be a starter point. It will be nice if thousand day long visa by lottery were issued for ten dollars to panjabis , kashmiris and other bordering states on daily basis.

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Arshad Patel Oct 15, 2015 07:59pm

Shah Sahib speaks from his heart for BOTH nations.....unfortunately, HATE MONGER POLITICIANS in our countries sell COMPLIMENTS as CONVERTING TO OTHER'S religion!!!

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Javs Iban Oct 15, 2015 08:25pm

@Jai So the "so much love and respect by Indians" for Naseeruddin Shah will go away if he has nice thoughts and complements for people of Pakistan? Wow,

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Imran Oct 15, 2015 08:29pm

@southram Pakistani's have great regard for Indian talent be it in sports or entertainment. Try and get some idea about the ground realities before you make such ill informed comments.

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Javs Iban Oct 15, 2015 08:35pm

@southram The "Average" Pakistani loves to watch Indian films. Go to Pakistan and walk into a DVD video rental store. Just see what is being rented out in large numbers. They are 90% Indian film DVDs, both old and new films. Sometimes you have to reserve a DVD if it is a very popular hit. So please do some real research before making a comment. Take the same advice before you comment on politics between India and Pakistan. Don't just go by Indian govt. statements or Indian news media. Javs

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Akram Oct 15, 2015 08:39pm

@southram "How will an average Pakistani react if at all you glorify, by chance, any Indian" I don't know what you mean? There is no shortage of Pakistanis completely awe struck by the likes of Rafi, Amitabh, Tendulkar, Kishore.............etc etc . We are always delighted to glorify these shining Indian names.

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Akram Oct 15, 2015 08:41pm

Shah Sb, it really depends on which party is ruling India at a given time. Currently with Modi at the helm, yes, praising anything Pakistani will be considered anti-Indian by the majority of your countrymen.

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syed wasim haider Oct 15, 2015 08:54pm

There are certain personalities san borders like u, Imran Khan, Dravid, Gavaskar. All these people are equally respected on both sides of the border. Recent events in India will give a bad image of an Asian country. If these things are not curtailed how can T20 Championship can be held in India. Please bring normalcy as soon as possible. Do not create a religious hatred compaign. This will hurt India only.

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waqar Oct 15, 2015 09:09pm

@southram We respect people based on their contributions & character they posses not on the basis of religion or country.... . Your all celebrities of Bollywood are liked in Pakistan and in our country nobody blames us for being un-patriotic for that!!! This approach is adopted in your country.... people need to be educated there!!!

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LOCKHORN Oct 15, 2015 09:20pm

@southram I am Indian and I think this statement is unfair. May Pakistanis openly admire talented people in India. In fact Lata Mangeshkar was offered the Nishan-e-Pakistan (which is similar to Bharat Ratna in India). A TV anchor in Pakistan was praising Amithabh Bachchan in one of the segments. Similarly artists like Ghulam Ali, NFAK and RFAK have a great following in India. We should each stop thinking that the other side is always wrong or somehow less generous - apart from not being true, it creates more problem for both India and Pakistan long term.

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Abdulla Hussain Oct 15, 2015 09:35pm

Said nothing but said everything. More & more peoples in India are realizing the ongoing ground realities. Both should keep one thing in mind " friendship wins & enmity looses, always"

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salim langra Oct 15, 2015 09:38pm

Shah Sahib, throughout his professional and private life, has been role model of the very ethos of modern day India- free thinking and expressing freely, secular, and professional. On the other hand, fanatic groups like Shiv Sena owe their very existence to regionalism (marathi manoos vs the Indian ), communalism (Hindus vs non hindus) and, frankly, to thuggery. I know who most Indian will agree with.

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Sanjoy Sankar Guha Oct 15, 2015 09:48pm

This is the problem now in India. Anti-Pakistan feelings are so high that people have lost their sense of objectivity. This is foolish and inimical for peace between the two countries. Public opinion favours a state of half war with Pakistan rather than a relationship of peace.

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Ahmer Oct 15, 2015 10:53pm

@southram Ask any kid what do they think of Sachin in Pakistan. Maybe not a god but the greatest batsman of all times. Ask about your Indian actors. Most of us love them to death. We are not as nuts as despite after all your movies and media claim us to be.

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Gul Hasan Oct 15, 2015 11:15pm

Folks Brahmins are more racists than any other race. Modi is being used by the upper caste to carry a deceitful mission which will affect India in the long run.

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Parvez Oct 15, 2015 11:37pm

Naseerudin Shah ........not just a great actor but a great human being as well.

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pc amin Oct 15, 2015 11:57pm

@Jai he not talking about indians. he is talking about those who bigots

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W Oct 16, 2015 01:59am

He is so right, and there are so many others who will also realize their identity only after an unfortunate even.

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joearanjo Oct 16, 2015 02:05am

@waqar I don think Indians need to be educated in being gracious to Pakistani celebrities or even normal individuals . India has amply demonstrated that time and again. Time and again Pakistani artistes have been honoured and enriched by indian largesse. Any number of Pakistani patients receive treatment in indian hospitals at greatly discounted charges or for free. Wasim akram , waqar younis have enjoyed legendary status in India. Elements like the shiv sena are fringe players who do not represent india as a whole. Also without being condescending indian film celebrities do get phenomenal attention in Pakistan not only because of their hospitable nature but I daresay because of the humongous vaccum created by the or lack thereof of enough comparable stars within their own film industry.

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Jawad Oct 16, 2015 02:21am

He is so right. Indians are going down the so called bigger democracy

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Akbar Sait Oct 16, 2015 02:43am

@bush An excellent suggestion which would allow a realistic understand of a shared history, culture and the commonality of the problems ordinary people face in both countries.

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Anil Oct 16, 2015 04:06am

Sad state of Affairs- even among the Educated and Intelectuals in our part of the World. We all need to grow up a Little.

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Keenobserver Oct 16, 2015 04:10am

Naseeruddin Shah not only is a great actor, but a pretty decent thinker of human issues also. Admiration of Indian celebrities, or even laws and leaders of Indian origin in Pakistan, are not criticized like what is now been done in India. We not have a good name, but people are rather behaving more mature in Pakistan, at least on this issue.This is not to say that fairly large sector of Indian origin are making sane stand again this extremism. So to my Indian friends: "extremism is equally bad, on either side of the border".

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ahmed Oct 16, 2015 04:31am

Unfortunately, an Indian muslim can only live with dignity and is accepted as an Indian as long as he advocates "Anti-Pakistan" sentiments. This is the truth. Saif Ali Khan and Kabir Khan, are a great example in recent times, created 'Phantom' to re-affirm their allegiance to "India". This is very unfortunate! India is far from the secular Country it claims, far from 'just' country it portrays! Reality is harsh!

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Changez_Khan Oct 16, 2015 05:43am

Indians and Pakistani may hate each other from outside but deep inside their heart they have good feelings for each other. Enough of this hate.

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SFA Oct 16, 2015 05:57am

@southram Indian movie and cricket stars are idolised by millions in Pakistan. There is no ill will against the Indian people among the common Pakistanis. The problem is that we do not get a chance to visit each other's countries hence the perception of hatred. Please do visit Pakistan if you get an opportunity and you will be pleasantly surprised by our warmth and hospitality. I am sure Pakistanis who visit India have similar experiences. If only we could stop listening to the Hawks on both sides!

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Sheikh Parviz Oct 16, 2015 06:28am

We have many commonalities and similar problems and both countries can benefit from working together instead of division. There are politicians and religious leaders who want to divide us for their own interest on both sides of the fence.

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SD Oct 16, 2015 06:50am

@southram There we go again. Whats' the matter with people? There are good and great people in Pakistan just as there are in India. Both can and should be applauded.

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Kashif Oct 16, 2015 06:52am

@southram We are happy to praise Indians doing good in any field.

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SD Oct 16, 2015 06:57am

@Akram Nope, it does not depend on who is in power. There is entrenched and bigoted lot in my country whose hackles get raised when anyone (let alone a muslim) says something nice about pakistan.

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amer Oct 16, 2015 07:30am

@southram a visit of Amitab Bachan to Pakistan will be a dream come true for many of us Pakistani's what a legend and a human being

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Jai Oct 16, 2015 08:04am

@Javs Iban ..... You obviously did not read my comment properly. I was commenting on his comment that "he was targeted for being Muslim". This has nothing to do with him praising Pakistan.

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Awadh Oct 16, 2015 02:14pm

@Aussieman You are right bro. It was really done by Pakistanis. I agree.

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Sarwar Oct 16, 2015 04:56pm

hardliners will hit upon any one not agreeing to their ideas. Mr Kukarni , whose face was blackened , because he was the host for Kauri's book launch, is a Hindu and a BJP man . It is a fight between fundamentalism and liberalism in our society.

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kumar Oct 17, 2015 10:13am

@Javs Iban , I know that many Pakistanis love to watch Hindi movies, but nobody knows whether these DVDs are sold as a original copy so the producers can get the benefit.

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fida USA Oct 18, 2015 03:27pm

@bush I was born in Karachi, Sindh, India before partition and am a Us citizen and yet when I apply for a Indian visa as a tourist, I am denied the visa. This way India does not give me a image of a secular country.

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