Respected Naseer Saab,
At the very outset, let me apologise to you for daring to write this letter to a legend of your stature. As an actor, you are an example. As a celebrity, you stand apart. This writer is extra-ordinarily ordinary to even mention your name. But living in a democratic country, he is a bit tempted to exercise his right to freedom of speech.
In a recent interview to a leading English daily, you have taken swipes at the first-ever superstar in Hindi films, Rajesh Khanna. Going by your comment, it's evident that you don't take him seriously as an actor. Fair enough! You are an accomplished actor and you have the right to voice your opinion.
But this is not the first time that you have had reservations towards Matinee Idols. I remember an interview on TV where you compared Amitabh Bachchan with Dilip Kumar and eventually preferred the latter. There were even stories in the media that you wanted equal footage with Big B in a film that was conceived with the two of you in mind.
Let me rewind a bit and focus on another interview you gave on TV where you took the three Khans for a ride. Time and again, you have not refrained from running your colleagues down. Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan and so on, your aversion to anything to do with stardom is explicitly expressed. But being a legend and an inspiration, do you really set the right trend of having respect for colleagues?
Sir, even yours truly doesn't hold Kaka aka Rajesh Khanna in high esteem as an actor, but to deliver hits after hits within a period of 5-6 years takes a lot. Similarly, the tall and lanky lad who completed his graduation from Kirori Mal College, Delhi University braved all odds to be reckoned as the Shahenshah of the industry. The three Khans (Salman, Aamir and Shah Rukh) still are bankable stars which you can't refute.
A look at your career, you have given us so many memorable films (Aakrosh, Chakra, Mandi, Katha, Ijaazat, Paar, Masoom and so on). At the same time audiences had to endure your unsuccessful attempt to be a star in films like Hero Heeralal, Jalwa and Malamaal. Let's not ignore the fact that you even agreed to play the villain at one point of time in films that had 'inferior' actors as heroes. Tirchi topiwaale from Tridev where you showed your 'powerful' dancing skills has given you a number to be associated with.
You have played second fiddle to poor actors in Mohra, Sarfarosh, Tridev, Viswatma, Krrish, Main Hoon Na, to mention a few. There was a time in the '90s when you decided to work in masala movies despite your high-nosed attitude to anything mainstream.
As an actor you have had your share of success. But as a motivator, you have eaten a humble pie. Just because you have a stature of your own, it doesn't 'permit' you to denigrate LEGENDS who have achieved much more than what you have.
But it's not your fault! Commercial success has always eluded you or to elaborate, you have had to ride on the shoulders of credible stars to earn box-office glory.
It isn't a shock that Rajesh Khanna's daughter Twinkle has got back at your somewhat derogatory statement on her father. And for the first time ever, you have got rid of your ego by apologising. Hopefully, it's the beginning of a journey that will only earn you more bouquets than brickbats.
Sir, you yourself are a STAR. Please don't exude an air of negativity by expressing your frustration for not being considered under the category of SUPERSTARS.
Everyone has limitations. And not being an exception, you too have. Just to remind you, hardly does anybody remember Michael starring you, whereas Te3N with Big B in the lead and the same director Ribhu Dasgupta calling the shots earned critical acclaims.
To reiterate, Sorry Sir for showing the courage to be firm on my stance vis-a-vis a NASEERUDDIN SHAH. Needless to say, you are versatile and as a citizen of a democratic country like India, you are well within your rights to opine.
At the very outset, let me apologise to you for daring to write this letter to a legend of your stature. As an actor, you are an example. As a celebrity, you stand apart. This writer is extra-ordinarily ordinary to even mention your name. But living in a democratic country, he is a bit tempted to exercise his right to freedom of speech.
In a recent interview to a leading English daily, you have taken swipes at the first-ever superstar in Hindi films, Rajesh Khanna. Going by your comment, it's evident that you don't take him seriously as an actor. Fair enough! You are an accomplished actor and you have the right to voice your opinion.
But this is not the first time that you have had reservations towards Matinee Idols. I remember an interview on TV where you compared Amitabh Bachchan with Dilip Kumar and eventually preferred the latter. There were even stories in the media that you wanted equal footage with Big B in a film that was conceived with the two of you in mind.
Let me rewind a bit and focus on another interview you gave on TV where you took the three Khans for a ride. Time and again, you have not refrained from running your colleagues down. Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan and so on, your aversion to anything to do with stardom is explicitly expressed. But being a legend and an inspiration, do you really set the right trend of having respect for colleagues?
Sir, even yours truly doesn't hold Kaka aka Rajesh Khanna in high esteem as an actor, but to deliver hits after hits within a period of 5-6 years takes a lot. Similarly, the tall and lanky lad who completed his graduation from Kirori Mal College, Delhi University braved all odds to be reckoned as the Shahenshah of the industry. The three Khans (Salman, Aamir and Shah Rukh) still are bankable stars which you can't refute.
A look at your career, you have given us so many memorable films (Aakrosh, Chakra, Mandi, Katha, Ijaazat, Paar, Masoom and so on). At the same time audiences had to endure your unsuccessful attempt to be a star in films like Hero Heeralal, Jalwa and Malamaal. Let's not ignore the fact that you even agreed to play the villain at one point of time in films that had 'inferior' actors as heroes. Tirchi topiwaale from Tridev where you showed your 'powerful' dancing skills has given you a number to be associated with.
You have played second fiddle to poor actors in Mohra, Sarfarosh, Tridev, Viswatma, Krrish, Main Hoon Na, to mention a few. There was a time in the '90s when you decided to work in masala movies despite your high-nosed attitude to anything mainstream.
As an actor you have had your share of success. But as a motivator, you have eaten a humble pie. Just because you have a stature of your own, it doesn't 'permit' you to denigrate LEGENDS who have achieved much more than what you have.
But it's not your fault! Commercial success has always eluded you or to elaborate, you have had to ride on the shoulders of credible stars to earn box-office glory.
It isn't a shock that Rajesh Khanna's daughter Twinkle has got back at your somewhat derogatory statement on her father. And for the first time ever, you have got rid of your ego by apologising. Hopefully, it's the beginning of a journey that will only earn you more bouquets than brickbats.
Sir, you yourself are a STAR. Please don't exude an air of negativity by expressing your frustration for not being considered under the category of SUPERSTARS.
Everyone has limitations. And not being an exception, you too have. Just to remind you, hardly does anybody remember Michael starring you, whereas Te3N with Big B in the lead and the same director Ribhu Dasgupta calling the shots earned critical acclaims.
To reiterate, Sorry Sir for showing the courage to be firm on my stance vis-a-vis a NASEERUDDIN SHAH. Needless to say, you are versatile and as a citizen of a democratic country like India, you are well within your rights to opine.
But, when you 'shy' away from giving your seniors, contemporaries
and juniors their due, don't blame those who read between the lines. "Kuch toh jal raha hai (Something is burning)," one may say.
Warm regards
A fan of yours
Warm regards
A fan of yours
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