When Naseeruddin Shah called Rajesh Khanna 'poor actor', said "Amitabh Bachchan hasn't done any great film, Sholay is a not great film"

When Naseeruddin Shah called Rajesh Khanna 'poor actor', said "Amitabh Bachchan hasn't done any great film, Sholay is a not great film"

Naseeruddin Shah has always been known for his boldness — never afraid to say it like it is, even if it means challenging the legends of Hindi cinema. In an era where actors often shy away from controversy, Shah’s unapologetic candor has often stood out. A throwback to his older interviews reminds us of the time he publicly dismissed both Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan — two of Bollywood’s most revered icons.

In a 2010 interview with NewsX, Shah spoke about actors and the legacy they leave behind. His statement about
Amitabh Bachchan was a sharp one. “He hasn’t made any great film,” Shah said, directly targeting the star’s filmography. When asked about Sholay, one of Bachchan’s most iconic films, Shah added, “Sholay is not a great film, it’s entertaining for sure but not great.”

This remark was particularly striking considering Sholay’s near-mythic status in Indian cinema. Often hailed as a classic and a cultural phenomenon, Sholay is considered a benchmark for commercial Hindi filmmaking. Yet Shah had his own perspective — one grounded in critical reflection rather than popular opinion.

In another discussion at the India Film Project (IFP) Season 14, Shah spoke about the issue of originality in cinema. Recalling a conversation with writer Javed Akhtar, he said, “I remember Javed Akhtar had once said to me, ‘Something can be called original when you can’t find its source.’ I was talking to him about Sholay, and I said, ‘You have copied every scene, you didn’t leave any of Charlie Chaplin’s films, besides Clint Eastwood is felt in every frame.’”

Shah admitted that defining originality isn’t easy, noting, “It’s about how far you have taken it. Shakespeare, who is considered a great playwright, apparently was also copying stuff from old plays. But originality was there in the way they presented.”

Even more controversial, perhaps, was Shah’s take on the first superstar of Hindi cinema — Rajesh Khanna. In a 2016 interview with Hindustan Times, Shah didn’t mince words. “In fact, it was the 70s when mediocrity came in Hindi films. That’s when the actor called Rajesh Khanna joined the industry. For all his success, I think Mr. Khanna was a very limited actor. In fact, he was a poor actor.”

He further commented on Khanna’s influence on the industry, saying, “Intellectually, he wasn’t the most alert person I have ever met. His taste ruled the industry.”

These remarks stirred considerable backlash, especially from Khanna’s fans and family. Twinkle Khanna, Rajesh Khanna’s daughter, responded sharply to Shah’s comments, calling them disrespectful and pointing out her father’s vast contribution to Indian cinema.
Still, Naseeruddin Shah has never walked back his opinions. Love him or hate him, Shah has remained consistent — valuing substance over stardom, and artistic integrity over box office numbers.