Ashoke Pandit criticises actor Naseeruddin Shah over "Dimagi Naxal" badge

Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit has hit out at veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah for proudly wearing a badge that read "Dimagi Naxal" in a video backing protesting students. Speaking to the news agency ANI, Pandit called Shah a compulsive abuser and said his recent public statements show deep frustration.

Student Support

In his Facebook video, Shah supported students of Delhi's Jamia Millia Islamia who are demanding the return of their student union. He questioned the central government over how it handles student protests and mentioned labels like anti-national and tukde tukde gang. Shah also recently backed protesting students at the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute.

Pandit's Reaction

Pandit stated that he was not surprised by Shah's behavior, claiming the actor has been misbehaving constantly over the past year. He alleged that Shah is suffering from an inferiority complex and feels insecure because certain commercial films do not suit his views. Pandit specifically named The Kashmir Files, The Kerala Story, and Dhurandhar while claiming these movie narratives upset critics like Shah. He suggested that Shah should consult a psychiatrist to check on his mental health.

Context

Public disagreements between film personalities over politics and student protests frequently spark wide public debates in India. Such clashes often reflect deeper cultural divisions over cinema, ideology, and free speech.