Naseeruddin Shah expresses displeasure over senior Bollywood actors’ silence on Citizenship Act

• Naseeruddin Shah lauds Deepika Padukone’s courage who took a stand for the right cause unlike other Bollywood biggies.
• He said after living in India for 70 years does not prove him to be an Indian then he don’t know what else does.

Veteran Bollywood actor Naseeruddin Shah has expressed his displeasure over big names of Bollywood who haven’t raised their voice in support of Muslims in India. He also said that after spending 70 years in India he is now being asked to prove his identity.

In an interview with The Wire, Shah asked why his passport, voter’s ID, driver’s licence and identity card weren’t enough proof of his citizenship.

He said, “I don’t have a birth certificate. I cannot produce one. Does that mean we are all going to be excluded? I do not need any reassurances that Muslims don’t need to be worried. I am not worried. If living here (in India) for 70 years does not prove me to be an Indian, I don’t know what does. I am not afraid, I am not anxious, I am angry”.

He lauded young actors, director and writers, who have come forward to express their views and protest against the CAA. While talking about their courage, the senior Bollywood actor expressed his displeasure over popular stars’ silence. “I think these people have more courage and less to lose than the established figures,” he said.

He further added, “As far as the established figures concerned, it is understandable why they don’t speak up. But one does wonder how much do they have to lose? Haven’t you made enough to last your seven generations?”.

Shah however lauds Deepika Padukone’s courage who took a stand for the right cause. He continues, “You have to laud the courage of a girl like Deepika who is in the top four and yet takes a step like this. Let us see how she takes this. She’ll lose a few endorsements, sure. Will that impoverish her? Will that lessen her popularity? Will that make her less beautiful that she is? They’re going to come around sooner or later. The only god that the film industry worships is money”.