Naseeruddin Shah: The film industry created Rajesh Khanna, used him, and cast him away

Just when you thought the controversy surrounding Naseeruddin Shah's comment on Rajesh Khanna died down, the actor came back with a mouth full. Speaking at a master class organised by Neville Tuli of Osianama at the famous Liberty cinema in Mumbai on Tuesday evening, the veteran Bollywood actor further elaborated and defended his views on calling the late Rajesh Khanna a 'poor actor'.The comment may have ruffled up a few features in the industry, but the actor questioned if the film industry ever respected the star.
Talking about how the industry created, used and then cast away Khanna, he said, 'The start of plagiarism in Hindi movies began in the early 70's ' the mediocrity in music, script writing, storytelling, acting, everything. Who were the popular stars of the 70's apart from Mr. Khanna? Joy Mukherjee, Biswajeet Chatterjee. Does anybody remember these gentlemen? They were very big stars. There was also Jeetendra. The trinity of Dev Anand, Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar was on the wane. The film industry needed a new icon and Rajesh Khanna filled that role. The fact is the industry created him, used him and cast him away when he was no longer a money-minting machine.'
When asked to comment on his controversial statement, Naseeruddin said, 'Everybody who has got upset with what I said, none of them has contradicted what I said. They all said, 'How can you say a thing like this? Have some respect for the dead.' What respect did the film industry have for Rajesh Khanna when he was alive is my question. He had thousands of people outside his bungalow. Does that make him a great actor? So anybody who has thousands of people outside his bungalow is a great actor is that what you are trying to say?'
He was cross-questioned by the host asking him about his views on Khanna's performances in films like 'Anand', 'Aradhana' which were critically acclaimed. He said, 'Certainly. I am not denying that. I am talking about his contribution by and large. I loved his performance in 'Anand' and I loved his performance in 'Aradhana'. These are the two films of his which I can certainly say I like without any reservations. I don't think I liked any others.'
Talking to the media, he said that there was nothing wrong in expressing an opinion. 'If you speak your mind, there is nothing wrong with it. I suppose one should be at times a little diplomatic that is what I have been told. But I don't see the merit in that. I think one should say what one feels and if you have ended up offending somebody then that is just too bad.'
When asked about the apology he issued after making the statement, he made it clear that it was directed only to the late actor's family. He said, 'I apologised to his family because I can understand their feelings. I have not apologised to anybody else nor have I withdrawn that statement.'