This is my culture: Sheheryar Munawar addresses touching Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s feet

Sheheryar Munawar Siddiqui recently addressed the viral video of him touching Indian actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s feet at the Filmfare Awards in Dubai.

Sitting across Hasan Choudary on The Talk Talk Show, the Parey Hut Love star was questioned by the host about his gesture toward the performer from across the border amidst sociopolitical tension and the consequent backlash. Choudary further likened the incident to Fahad Mustafa touching Govinda’s feet at another event.

“What can I say - there’s a video, you must have seen it,” began Sheheryar with a chuckle. “Sometimes, it’s unfair that the moment that is meant for your personal life - it’s not meant to be put on stage. I wasn’t doing anything on stage. I wasn’t on duty. It was a lighter moment, and we were joking around. It was a joke because Mahira jee was there, I was there, and Nawazuddin sahab was there. We were speaking amongst ourselves as friends and I was telling him - rightfully so - that I’m a huge fan - which is true. I am, and have been since his Gangs of Wasseypur released.”

Sheheryar went on to add, “Mahira was pulling my leg, saying that I should touch guru jee's feet and I said, ‘Sure - what’s the big deal, I’ll do it.’ At that point, a makeup artist - which was very wrong of him - snapped that bit, cutting everything else out - like, for example, you and I talk to people and we say, ‘Oh, sir!’ That sort of a moment was picked up, edited and posted.”

Hasan quipped in, stating that the Ho Mann Jahaan star is also a Sindhi, and it’s part of the Sindhi tradition. “As a second part,” Sheheryar continued, “I was going to tell you that if it were the case, I wouldn’t be ashamed of it, because I’m Sindhi, and we give respect to those from whom we learn. I think this is my culture which is thousands of years old. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

The two then move on to joke about a picture of the actor with Deepika Padukone and its consequent removal, which he simply addressed by stating that his “angle wasn’t right.”

Have something to add? Share it in the comments below.