Naseeruddin Shah has rendered an apology over his controversial remarks on late actor Rajesh Khanna, but the veteran actor was reminded about Khanna’s legacy by Dimple Kapadia.
Without giving too much importance to Shah’s remarks, the widow of superstar Rajesh Khanna told DNA, “I just want to say that while I understand that everyone has the right to their own opinion, the man’s career and legacy speak for him. I don’t need to over-emphasise his accomplishments or what he has done for Hindi cinema. You know them, I know them, millions of his fans know them as well.”
Dimple’s words should douse this controversy, but Shah has been criticised by Khanna’s family and Karan Johar over his controversial comment. Khanna’s daughter Twinkle had tweeted that Shah should have respect for the dead, and also underlined how mediocrity was about attacking someone who cannot respond.
While speaking to Hindustan Times, Shah had stated that mediocrity crept into Hindi cinema in the 1970s, mainly because of Rajesh Khanna.
“Nothing has changed in Bollywood. It is the same as it was 50 years ago. The photography and editing is better but the subjects are as puerile as they were in the '70s. In fact, it was the 70’s when mediocrity came in Hindi films. That’s when the actor called Rajesh Khanna joined the industry. For all his success, I think Mr Khanna was a very limited actor. In fact, he was a poor actor. Intellectually, he wasn’t the most alert person I have ever met. His taste ruled the industry. The quality of script, acting, music and lyrics deteriorated. Colour came in. You could make a heroine wear a purple dress and hero a red shirt, go to Kashmir and make a movie. You didn’t need a story. This trend continued and I certainly think Mr Khanna had something to do with it because he was God in those days,” Shah was quoted in Hindustan Times.
Clearly, the apology by Shah hasn’t cut much ice with the Khannas, but it’s unlikely to evoke any further comment from them. Perhaps, the only thing left to know is what Rajesh Khanna’s son-in-law Akshay Kumar makes of the entire controversy.