Anil Sharma reacts after Naseeruddin Shah calls success of The Kashmir Files, Gadar 2, Kerala Story 'disturbing'

Naseeruddin Shah has been making headlines after he called the popularity of films like The Kashmir Files, Gadar 2, and Kerala Story 'disturbing'. Now, Gadar 2 director Anil Sharma has reacted to his statement and said ‘he is shocked’.

While speaking to AajTak, Anil Sharma said, “I read that quote by Naseer Sahab. I was surprised after reading it. Naseer Saheb knows me well and he also knows which ideology I belong to. I am surprised that he is saying such things about Gadar 2. I would like to say that Gadar 2 is not against any community. Neither is it against any country.”

He further added, “Gadar in itself is a film which is full of patriotism. It is part of a sequel. It is a proper masala film. Which people have been watching for years. So I would like to tell Naseer Sahab that once he watches Gadar 2, he will definitely change his statement. I still feel that he cannot say such things. I have been a fan of his acting. If he has said so, then I would request him to watch the film once. I have always made cinema with the aim of masala. I have never had any political propaganda in this. Naseer Saheb himself is aware of this.”

Earlier, The Kashmir Files director Vivek Agnihotri reacted to Naseeruddin Shah’s comment on his film. While speaking to BollywoodLife, Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri said, “I don’t know. I think it is for him to decide which is a good film, which is a bad film. I am sure he likes those kind of films that are always criticizing India. Some people are frustrated in life. They always believe in negative news, and negative things so I don’t know what Naseer bhai likes. I have been a fan of his acting and had casted him in The Tashkent Files also. But of late he says these kinds of things, maybe he has grown too old or maybe he is very frustrated in life.”

For the unversed, during a recent interview, Naseeruddin Shah said it’s disturbing that films like Kashmir Files are so massively popular. While speaking to the Free Press Journal, on being asked if the ‘objective of filmmaking has changed in Bollywood,’ the actor-director replied,” Yes! Now the more jingoist you are the more popular you become, because this is what has been ruling this country. It’s not enough to love your country but beat drums about it and you have to create imaginary enemies. What these people don’t realise is that what they are doing is very harmful.”

He added, “ In fact, films like Kerala Story and Gadar 2, I haven’t seen them but I know what they are about, it’s disturbing that films like Kashmir Files are so massively popular whereas films made by Sudhir Mishra, Anubhav Sinha, and Hansal Mehta, who are trying to portray the truth of their times don’t get seen. But it’s important that these filmmakers don’t lose heart and continue telling stories.”

Read|Naseeruddin Shah says 'it's disturbing' that films like The Kashmir Files, Kerala Story, Gadar 2 are so popular