New Delhi: After filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri, ‘Gadar 2’ director Anil Sharma has also reacted to the comment made by the veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah. He called the popularity of films like ‘The Kashmir Files’, ‘Gadar 2’, and ‘Kerala Story’ 'disturbing'. Anil Sharma said he is ‘surprised’ by the actor’s comment and said that he is sure the actor will change his view after watching ‘Gadar 2.’
In an interview with Aaj Tak, Anil Sharma said, “I read that quote by Naseer Sahab. I was surprised after reading it. Naseer Saheb knows me well and he also knows which ideology I belong to. I am surprised that he is saying such things about ‘Gadar 2’. I would like to say that Gadar 2 is not against any community. Neither is it against any country. Gadar in itself is a film which is full of patriotism. It is part of a sequel. It is a proper masala film. Which people have been watching for years. So I would like to tell Naseer Sahab that once he watches Gadar 2, he will definitely change his statement. I still feel that he cannot say such things. I have been a fan of his acting. If he has said so, then I would request him to watch the film once. I have always made cinema with the aim of masala. I have never had any political propaganda in this. Naseer Saheb himself is aware of this.”
For the unversed, Naseeruddin Shah had said in an interview with the Free Press Journal that the success of a few recent films is disturbing. “Films like Kerala Story and Gadar 2, I haven’t seen them but I know what they are about, it’s disturbing that films like Kashmir Files are so massively popular whereas films made by Sudhir Mishra, Anubhav Sinha, and Hansal Mehta, who are trying to portray the truth of their times don’t get seen. But it’s important that these filmmakers don’t lose heart and continue telling stories.”
Sunny Deol and Ameesha Patel starrer ‘Gadar 2’ has been a blockbuster and has collected Rs 516.59 crore at the domestic box office till now.