Naseeruddin Shah called Anupam Kher a clown. Video resurfaces amid Ram Temple row

An old video of actor Naseeruddin Shah criticising Anupam Kher has resurfaced on social media amid Kher’s recent remarks on the theft of donations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple. In the viral clip from a 2020 interview, Shah is seen calling Kher a "clown" while commenting on his political views.

The clip began circulating widely after Kher described the reported theft at the Ram Temple as a "very small issue" in an interview with India Today and compared it to the attacks and looting of temples during the Mughal era. Soon after his remarks went viral, Shah's old comments against the 71-year-old actor emerged online.

In the resurfaced interview, Shah was asked about members of the film industry who had spoken out against what they considered discriminatory politics and policies, and those who had openly supported the government. Responding to the question, Shah said, "There are fewer than those who oppose it."

Referring to Kher, he added, "Someone like Anupam Kher is very vocal. I don't think he needs to be taken seriously. He is a clown. Any number of his contemporaries from NSD and FTII can attest to his sycophantic nature. It's in his blood. He can't help it."

Anupam Kher's reply to Shah's remarks

In his response, Kher had posted a video message on X and said Shah has a habit of criticising others from the film industry.

“Though I have never said anything bad about you but now I will. You have spent your entire life in frustration, despite achieving so much. If you can criticise Dilip Kumar sahab, Amitabh Bachchan, Rajesh Khanna, Shah Rukh Khan and Virat Kohli, then I’m sure I’m in great company," he had said in a video message.

“None of them has ever taken your statements seriously, as we all know that due to the substances you have been taking all these years, you don’t realise the difference between what is right and what is wrong,” Kher said.

What Anupam Kher said

During an interview with India Today, Anupam Kher was asked about the theft of donations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple. Responding to the question, the actor described the incident as insignificant when viewed against the backdrop of historical attacks and looting of temples.

He said, “Temples were looted when the Mughals destroyed our temples. When Brahmins were killed, when the wealth of our temples was plundered, when women were raped in the temple premises. That was a far greater tragedy. If we could overcome that pain, then this is a very, very small matter."

The actor added, "People are making a huge issue out of this. They are saying there has been looting in the temple... such words are being used. Temples were looted when the Mughals destroyed our temples. Temples were looted when Mughal rulers killed Brahmins and collected and weighed their sacred threads. Temples were looted when Mughal emperors came here and took away valuables from every temple. Temples were looted when women were raped within temple premises. That was a far greater tragedy. If we could overcome that, then this issue of theft is a very small matter.”

Anupam Kher upcoming films

Kher will next be seen in Shri Ram Bhoomi. The project is directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh, who recently helmed The Kerala Story 2. The film also features Ritwik Bhowmik and Amruta Khanvilkar. It is backed by Anuya Chauhan Kudecha, Ritesh Kudecha, Umesh Kumar Bansal, Raedita, Akash Shah, Pranay Chokshi, Kalapi Shah, Kranti Shanbhag, Girish Johar and Meet Mojo. He also has Khosla Ka Khosla 2 in his kitty.