Twinkle Khanna and Karan Johar on Sunday hit out at veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah, who said that her late father Rajesh Khanna was responsible for bringing “mediocrity” in the Hindi film industry in the ’70s.
Twinkle, 42, the elder daughter of Rajesh Khanna and Dimple Kapadia, tweeted, “Sir if you can’t respect the living, respect the dead – mediocrity is attacking a man who can’t respond @NaseerudinShah.”
Sir if u can't respect the living ,respect the dead-mediocrity is attacking a man who can't respond @NaseerudinShah https://t.co/4EdyWmwiNj
— Twinkle Khanna (@mrsfunnybones) July 23, 2016
Karan Johar too agreed with Twinkle when he tweeted, “I agree with you @mrsfunnybones…due respect to seniority but this was in exceptionally bad taste and not becoming of a fraternity member..”
I agree with you @mrsfunnybones…due respect to seniority but this was in exceptionally bad taste and not becoming of a fraternity member..
— Karan Johar (@karanjohar) July 23, 2016
In an interview, Shah had said that 70’s was the time when mediocrity came in Hindi films and also when Rajesh Khanna joined the industry, who according to him was a “poor actor”.
Twinkle’s friend and filmmaker Karan Johar agreed with the actress-turned-author and criticised Shah, saying his comments were in “exceptionally bad taste”.
“I agree with you @mrsfunnybones… due respect to seniority but this was in exceptionally bad taste and not becoming of a fraternity member,” Johar posted on Twitter.
Also Read | ‘I was targeted because my name is Naseeruddin Shah’
He won three Filmfare Best Actor Awards and was nominated for the same fourteen times. He was awarded the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005.
Other Twitter users too found Shah’s comments in poor taste.
Here are some comments;
Rajesh Khanna is the only Superstar actor Hindi cinema has ever seen.Sorry @NaseerudinShah ! https://t.co/XIsp3gT6st https://t.co/Msa8eliDx7
— Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay) July 24, 2016
You are a great actor Sir but calling Late Rajesh Khanna a "poor actor" is so shameful. pic.twitter.com/RrebGStxaj
— Manak Gupta (@manakgupta) July 24, 2016
Never a great fan of Rajesh Khanna, but Naseeruddin Shah has reduced himself as an intellectual rump. https://t.co/Z70dJHU9Sk
— Dr. Latha (@DrlathaC) July 24, 2016
Can matinee idols like Rajesh Khanna or Rajinikanth be judged on their acting skills alone? Perhaps not.
— Rasheed Kappan (@kappansky) July 24, 2016
Have to say that started with Rajesh Khanna. Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor, SRK and Salman followed in that mould.
— Being Watched (@DuckSpeech) July 24, 2016
Nasserudin Shah is 1 amongst thousands of hopefuls who came to Bombay to become next Rajesh Khanna in 60s-70s including Legendry @SrBachchan
— Punnoy (@MixedRaita) July 24, 2016
#NaseeruddinShah Don't forget,Rajesh Khanna was the first original superstar of India. When there was no electronic media, he enjoyed (1/2)
— Dr D.K.Singhal (@CADKSINGHAL) July 24, 2016
NaseeruddinShah must first look at himself that what r his poor qualities 4r which he has never been offer a lead role unlike Rajesh Khanna?
— Debarati (@db1990mini) July 24, 2016
I Kinda Agree with Naseerudin Shah..abt what he said for Rajesh Khanna.Intentions were right ..so I respect his opinion.
— Pratik Srivastava (@Ganga_Jal) July 24, 2016
(With PTI inputs)