Veteran Indian actor Naseeruddin Shah recently expressed his disappointment after being disinvited from an event at Mumbai University. In an opinion piece for The Indian Express, he described the experience as both insulting and frustrating, highlighting his eagerness to engage with students.
The event, titled Jashn-e-Urdu, was scheduled for February 1, organized by the university’s Urdu department. Shah received a notification late on the evening of January 31, informing him that he should not attend, with no explanation or apology provided for the abrupt change.
In his article, Shah noted his eagerness to participate, emphasizing that connecting with students was something he greatly anticipated. He criticized the university for later informing the audience that he had declined to attend, accusing them of misrepresenting his absence. “They obviously considered this not insulting enough,” he remarked, pointing out the university’s failure to convey the truth about his disinvitation.
Shah also raised concerns regarding a senior university official’s reported comments about his public statements. He challenged the official to provide a specific example of any statement he made that could be interpreted as criticizing India, asserting that such claims were unfounded.
Known for his versatile performances, Naseeruddin Shah has starred in several acclaimed films, including Nishant, Aakrosh, Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, Masoom, and Sparsh. He is set to appear in the upcoming film Assi, alongside notable actors such as Taapsee Pannu, Kani Kusruti, and Revathy. Directed by Anubhav Sinha, Assi is scheduled for release on February 20.
Additionally, Shah will collaborate with renowned filmmaker Imtiaz Ali in a film featuring Diljit Dosanjh, Vedang Raina, and Sharvari, which is set to premiere in theaters on June 12.