Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah has clarified that his social media post supporting Diljit Dosanjh was “taken down” by Facebook, not deleted by him, and he stands by his words despite the lack of industry support.
The Post That Vanished: Shah’s Clarification
On Monday, Naseeruddin Shah had voiced strong support for Diljit Dosanjh on Facebook. Diljit was facing backlash for releasing his film Sardaar Ji 3, which features Pakistani actor Hania Aamir.
The post quickly disappeared, leading many to believe Shah had deleted it due to pressure. However, in a recent article for The Indian Express, Shah firmly stated that Facebook removed the post.
“If this is taken to be a justification of my Facebook post (which has been taken down, not deleted by me) in support of Diljit Dosanjh, so be it. But the fact is I need to justify nothing,” Shah wrote. He emphasized that he stands by everything he said.
Shah also addressed the silence from Bollywood. He mentioned he wasn’t expecting any support from the film industry, suggesting they “either have too much to lose or they disagree.”
A Poetic Response to Trolls
The veteran actor also had a message for his critics and trolls. Responding to one specific troll who told him, “Pakistan nahin ab kabristaan,” Shah quoted Urdu poet Jigar Moradabadi.
His poignant reply was: “Mujhe de na ghaiz mein dhamkiyaan, giren lakh baar ye bijliyan, / Meri saltanat yehi aashiyaan, meri milkiyat yehi chaar par.” This translates to: “Don’t threaten me in anger, let lightning strike a thousand time/ My nest is my domain, these four feathers all I own.”
In his original Facebook post, Shah had also directly challenged those who tell him to “Go to Pakistan,” by retorting, “GO TO KAILASA.” He strongly condemned efforts to stop personal interaction between people from India and Pakistan, asserting his right to connect with his relatives and friends across the border.
The Diljit Dosanjh Controversy Explained
Naseeruddin Shah’s support for Diljit comes amid significant controversy for the Punjabi actor-singer. Diljit’s film Sardaar Ji 3 faced a ban from Indian cine bodies because of the casting of Pakistani actor Hania Aamir.
To navigate the situation, the filmmakers, including co-producer Diljit Dosanjh, opted for a global release, excluding India. The makers clarified that there was no ban on casting Pakistani actors when the film was originally shot.
The ban on Pakistani artistes working in India was implemented following the Pahalgam attack, which also affected other films, such as Fawad Khan’s Abir Gulaal.
Initially, there were speculations that Diljit might even be recast in upcoming films like Border 2. However, the FWICE (Federation of Western India Cine Employees) eventually permitted producer Bhushan Kumar (T-Series) to complete filming with Diljit for Border 2. Despite this, Bhushan Kumar has stated he will not cast Diljit in any future projects.
- Naseeruddin Shah’s Facebook post supporting Diljit Dosanjh was taken down by Facebook, not deleted by him.
- Shah firmly stands by his statement and is not discouraged by the lack of support from the film industry.
- He used a poetic verse to respond to online trolls.
- Diljit Dosanjh’s film Sardaar Ji 3 featuring a Pakistani actor led to a ban by Indian cine bodies, resulting in a non-India release.
This incident highlights the ongoing tensions and debates surrounding cross-border collaborations in the entertainment industry.
