Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah has never been one to hold back his opinions, and his latest statement proves once again that his voice is not easily silenced. A few days ago, Shah had shared a strong and heartfelt post on Facebook backing Diljit Dosanjh, whose recent film Sardaar Ji 3 has sparked controversy due to its cross border casting. The film features Pakistani actress Hania Aamir alongside Diljit, and while the movie released globally on June 27, it is yet to hit Indian screens, reportedly due to political tensions.
The post in support of Diljit was taken down within hours, leading to a surge of speculation and outrage online. Today, Shah confirmed through a media interaction with The Indian Express that the post was not deleted by him but removed by the platform. “I need to justify nothing,” he stated with firm clarity. “I said whatever I had to say, and I stand by it.”
Shah’s unwavering tone reflects a deep frustration with what he perceives as selective outrage and an increasing climate of fear within the film industry. He further added that he was not surprised by the lack of solidarity from fellow artists. “They all either have too much to lose or they disagree,” he noted, offering an honest assessment of the silence from Bollywood.
To the trolls and political naysayers, Shah delivered a poetic reply quoting Urdu poet Jigar Moradabadi. His words, both graceful and unshakable, spoke of a man whose principles cannot be threatened by loud voices or empty warnings. The quote he referenced “Do not threaten me in anger, let lightning strike a thousand times” echoed the same sentiment that made his original post powerful in the first place.
In the original message, now unavailable to readers, Shah had emphasized that Diljit Dosanjh should not be targeted for the casting of Sardaar Ji 3. He called out political factions attempting to use the situation to discredit the singer actor, reminding everyone that the casting decisions were not Diljit’s alone. He further criticized the culture of vilification that seeks to suppress people to people bonds between India and Pakistan.
“I stand firmly with Diljit,” he had written, noting that no amount of noise or threats could diminish his right to love his friends and family across the border. His closing words in the original post were defiant, even humorous, as he told those asking him to “go to Pakistan” to instead “go to Kailasa,” referencing a satirical non nation created by a controversial self styled godman.
Shah’s courage in speaking out where others remain silent is yet another reminder of the shrinking space for artistic independence. As Sardaar Ji 3 continues to find audiences across the globe, the larger question of who controls narratives in India’s entertainment space remains ever more pressing.
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