Farhan Akhtar Responds to Naseeruddin Shah's Harsh Criticism
Bollywood actor and filmmaker Farhan Akhtar has finally broken his silence on veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah's scathing comments about his 2013 biographical sports drama Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. In a recent interview, Akhtar described Shah's public criticism as 'distasteful', particularly given their long-standing personal relationship.
The Background of the Controversy
The controversy dates back to 2013 when Naseeruddin Shah, known for his straightforward opinions, made brutal comments about Farhan Akhtar's performance in the Milkha Singh biopic. Speaking to IANS at the time, Shah had stated: 'I don't care about Farhan Akhtar, and I don't watch his films.'
Shah went even further in his criticism, calling Bhaag Milkha Bhaag 'a completely fake film' and questioning Akhtar's acting preparation. The veteran actor had remarked: 'Farhan has no doubt worked very hard but building up muscles and growing your hair is not exactly working hard on your acting. At least he should have tried to look like Milkha.'
Akhtar's Emotional Response
During his recent interaction with India TV on November 10, 2025, Farhan Akhtar expressed his disappointment with how Shah chose to deliver his criticism. What hurt Akhtar most was the personal nature of their relationship, as he revealed: 'I have known him for so many years. We worked together in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. He knows me ever since I was a child.'
Akhtar acknowledged Shah's stature in the industry, calling him 'a great performer and a great actor', but took issue with his method of communication. The actor-director suggested a more private approach would have been more appropriate: 'If you want me to improve in my work, then there is a way of communicating that. I would have picked up a phone and told the person to come home.'
The key elements that bothered Akhtar about Shah's approach:
- Making criticism public rather than private
- Not utilizing their personal relationship for constructive feedback
- The dismissive tone toward his entire body of work
Contrasting Outcomes and Legacy
Despite Naseeruddin Shah's harsh assessment, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag proved to be a major commercial and critical success. The film, based on the life of legendary Indian athlete Milkha Singh, became a box-office hit and received widespread praise for multiple aspects:
- Powerful storytelling that inspired audiences
- Memorable musical score that resonated with viewers
- Strong direction that captured the athlete's journey effectively
- Farhan Akhtar's dedicated physical transformation for the role
Interestingly, the real Milkha Singh had expressed pleasure with Akhtar's portrayal, contrary to Shah's claims that the athlete only imagined he looked like that during his competitive days.
Akhtar concluded his response by acknowledging Shah's right to his opinion, stating: 'Other than that, if he didn't like it, it is his opinion, and I can't change that — he is entitled to it.' However, he maintained that the method of delivery crossed professional boundaries and showed lack of respect for their personal connection.
This exchange highlights the ongoing tension in Bollywood between veteran actors known for their uncompromising standards and the newer generation of actor-filmmakers who value both professional criticism and personal relationships in the industry.
