When Naseeruddin Shah admitted he couldn’t watch RRR and Pushpa

naseerudin shah

• Naseeruddin Shah said he couldn't sit through RRR and Pushpa: The Rise
• He favors emotionally deep, realistic films over hypermasculine blockbusters.
• Shah praised content-driven films and showed faith in younger audiences.

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Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah once candidly admitted that he couldn’t sit through two of India’s biggest pan-Indian blockbusters—RRR and Pushpa: The Rise. Known for his unfiltered opinions and unwavering commitment to meaningful cinema, Shah’s comments offered a glimpse into his personal viewing preferences rather than a critique of popular taste.

The senior actor said in an episode of Be A Man Yaar, “Mardo ki insecurity badh rahi hai isiliye aur bhi zayda zor diya ja raha ha hypermasculinity ko. America me toh Marvel ki duniya chal rahi hai, sab superhero hai.” He mentioned that a similar trend is occurring with movies in India, but he expressed that films such as A Wednesday are still appreciated by the viewers.

Shah, who has long championed nuanced storytelling and character-driven narratives, emphasised that his cinematic sensibilities lean toward films rooted in emotional depth and realism. During the same conversation, he spoke highly of smaller, content-focused films like Ramprasad Ki Tehrvi and Gulmohar, expressing hope that such stories would eventually find a wider audience, especially among younger viewers whom he described as more discerning and open-minded. “The acceptance of smaller films, those made by Anurag like Ramprasad Ki Tehrvi, Gulmohar will find its place. I'm pretty sure because I have great faith in younger generation,” he added.

He also said he wonders what people get from watching films that highlight hypermasculinity, except for the thrill. “Maine RRR, Pushpa dekhne ki koshis ki, mujhse dekhi nahi gayi. Maine Mani Ratnam ki film puri dekhi kyuki woh kabil filmmaker hai; unka koi agenda nahi hai. Mai imagine nahi kar pata, alawa thrill k ya aapke dil k andar ki jo jasbaat jo chupe huye hai, unko feed karke kahi ek khushi ka ehsas hota ha dekhne ke baad jo aksar kayi din tak rehta hai. Main aise filmein kabhi dekhne na jau.” In another part of the same interview, he questioned how many women liked RRR, stating, “I don't know how many women liked RRR.”

RRR, Pushpa, and Ponniyin Selvan are among the most successful films released across India in recent years. Directed by SS Rajamouli, RRR achieved global success, highlighted by its song Naatu Naatu winning India's first-ever Academy Award for Best Original Song. Pushpa, featuring Allu Arjun, was one of the commercially successful films that helped bring the box office back to life after the pandemic.