Ashutosh Rana, Anubhav Sinha and Madhur Bhandarkar react on Naseeruddin Shah’s viral comment

Earlier this week, veteran Bollywood actor Naseeruddin Shah commented on the Bulandshahr violence incident in which two people including a police official were killed over rumour of cow slaughter.

“At many places, the death of a cow is being given more importance than the killing of a policeman. I feel anxious for my children because tomorrow if a mob surrounds them and asks, ‘Are you a Hindu or a Muslim?’ they will have no answer. It worries me that I don’t see the situation improving anytime soon,” Shah had commented, which made the veteran actor receive flak for criticizing his own country.

Following the incident, Bollywood has come out in support of Naseeruddin Shah, adding how when one said something the others should have the tolerance to listen to and understand it. Supporting Shah, actor Ahsutosh Rana said, “Everyone should have a right to share their thoughts with their friends or other people without any fear. We should be wary of reacting, acting or doing a trial on any such comment. If any of our brother or friend is saying something, we should not only listen to them but must also ponder over it.”

Adding further, Rana stated, ““Independence stands for simplicity and gentleness and that is what our culture is.”

Ashutosh Rana’s comments came in line with filmmaker Anubhav Sinha who also shared, “We (Bollywood) don’t get together when SRK or Aamir or Naseer are trolled for just criticising their own society. But we do fall in line to sing a choir for GST cuts. Are we together or not???”

Veteran filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar also stated how one had the right to express what they wished, in a free democractic country. “Everyone has the right to speak. We live in a democratic country. I don’t think there is any fear. Everyone is equal in India and this is his point of view, this is the special thing about our country that everyone can express their opinions. I don’ think there is any problem or intolerance.”