Anupam Kher revisits strained equation with Naseeruddin Shah after 'clown' remark; says, ‘He just says things like that’

In an interview with Samdish Bhatia, Anupam Kher said he continues to respect Naseer but admitted that their relationship remains complicated.

The long-running friction between veteran actors Anupam Kher and Naseeruddin Shah has resurfaced, as Anupam opened up about the uneasy dynamics that have persisted since their public feud in 2020. The tension originally escalated after Naseeruddin criticised Anupam for his pro-government stance during the controversy surrounding Deepika Padukone’s visit to JNU.

In an interview with Samdish Bhatia, Anupam Kher said he continues to respect Naseer but admitted that their relationship remains complicated. “I still feel that I have great respect for him,” he said. “I think he sometimes has loose-talk conversations about me. When we met, he was saying sorry… he told me to hug him because I always hug him.”

Calling Naseer a major influence, Anupam added, “I like him a lot… we came into films after watching him. There is no bigger star in parallel cinema than him.” But he also hinted at deeper resentment, saying, “Sometimes he just says things like that. I think there is some kind of bitterness. Sometimes I become the victim, sometimes Dilip sir, sometimes Rajesh Khanna.”

In a 2020 interview with The Wire, Naseeruddin Shah had praised Deepika Padukone for visiting JNU “despite being in the top firmament,” remarking that the film industry “worships only money.”

While commenting on Anupam, he delivered a harsh critique, saying, “Someone like Anupam Kher has been very vocal. I don’t think he needs to be taken seriously. He’s a clown… It’s in his blood, he can’t help it.”

Anupam Kher responded with a video on Twitter, asserting that Naseer’s remarks were rooted in long-held frustration. “I never bad-mouthed you,” he said. “But you’ve spent your entire life, despite all the success, in frustration.”

Also read: Anupam Kher’s Tanvi The Great receives FIPRESCI India Award for Best Feature Film

He added, “If you can criticise Dilip Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Rajesh Khanna, Shah Rukh Khan, and Virat Kohli, then I’m in great company.” Taking a pointed swipe, he said, “None of these people took your statements seriously. This is not you talking but all the substances you’ve consumed for years. They’ve clouded your judgement.”

The two last shared screen space in Neeraj Pandey’s 2018 film Aiyaary, and despite occasional reconciliatory gestures, their relationship continues to carry unresolved tension.