Anupam Kher on His Showdown with Naseeruddin Shah in 2020: 'We Met at Our CA’s Funeral And...'

Anupam Kher opened up about his relationship with Naseeruddin Shah after they had a face-off in 2020 over their strongly different political opinions. For the unversed, the Wednesday co-stars got into a heated exchange of words after Naseeruddin Shah called Anupam Kher a ‘clown’ and ‘sycophant’ while defending Deepika Padukone for visiting and supporting the students of JNU in January 2020. Anupam also lashed out in return.

Looking back at the exchange, Anupam said that he had to defend himself and stand up for himself. “It is important to reply to people,” Anupam said, in a chat with Shubhankar Mishra. “I have never tried to spoil my personal relationships with anyone. I have the greatest regard for Naseeruddin sir. But, when Naseeruddin sir ended up commenting something inappropriate about me, then you just can’t keep quiet,” he said.

Despite the exchange, when the actors reunited long after the incident, they still held high regards for each other. “I have read the Bhagvad Gita. In that, Krishna tells Arjun, ‘None of them standing here are your family. You will have to do what is right.’ When it comes to your principles, be it anybody, you will have to speak the truth. And I am the kind of person who speaks the truth. Even after that, both of us met at our CA’s funeral, and we hugged each other. Yes, you see changes in your love for them, but, we are still friends,” Anupam said.

What Did Naseeruddin Shah Tell About Anupam Kher?

In a chat with The Wire in 2020, Naseeruddin was praising Deepika for visiting JNU and took a jibe at Anupam. “Someone like Anupam Kher has been very vocal. I don’t think he needs to be taken seriously. He’s a clown. Any number of his contemporaries from NSD and FTII can attest to his sycophantic nature. It’s in his blood, he can’t help it.”

How Did Anupam Kher React?

Anupam Kher took to X at the time and lashed out. “I never bad-mouthed you, or said anything rude to you. But now I would like to say that you have spent your entire life, despite all the success, in frustration. If you can criticise Dilip Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Rajesh Khanna, Shah Rukh Khan, and Virat Kohli, then I am sure I am in great company,” the actor said.