‘I was targeted for being a Muslim’

Naseeruddin Shah on comments regarding Pakistan being misconstrued as anti-Indian

Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah has been under the gun since his participation at the launch of a book written by former foreign minister of Pakistan, Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri. Disillusioned by the flak he has gotten at the hands of the media, with his comments being misconstrued as ‘anti-Indian’, he feels he has been targeted for being a Muslim, reported the Indian Express.

“My name is Naseeruddin Shah and I believe that’s why I was targeted. It is really painful me to say this. I’ve never ever been aware of my identity until now,” he said. Shah added he was misreported by the media about his comments regarding Pakistan at the event on Monday.

Shah reiterated that he was proud to be an Indian and wouldn’t allow anyone to question his patriotism. “I was quite astounded that everything I stated was interpreted as anti-Indian and there was nothing of the sort that I actually said,” he stated. “I don’t actually understand why anything said as a compliment to Pakistan must be construed as anti-Indian. If I say Imran Khan is great, does that make Sunil Gavaskar any less of a cricketer?”

Read: Twitter backlash Naseeruddin Shah says he was targeted because he's Muslim

At the book launch, he expressed regret over the recent disruption of performances of Pakistani artists in India. “Hatemongers are, unfortunately, having a field day in India today,” he lamented. On Shiv Sena’s argument that terror can’t coexist with cricket and music, Shah said, “The people who sponsor terror aren’t the same as those who bring the message of peace from across the border. You have to make a difference and can’t tar everybody with the same brush.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 16^th, 2015.

Like Life & Style on Facebook, follow @ETLifeandStyle on Twitter for the latest in fashion, gossip and entertainment.