When Praise Turns Public: Naseeruddin Shah vs Farhan Akhtar – A Decade-Old Feud That Still Sparks Conversation

From towering acclaim for Bhaag Milkha Bhaag to a public rebuke and a delayed rejoinder—how two celebrated actors handled respect, criticism, and the art of giving feedback.

When Farhan Akhtar roared into the spotlight as athlete Milkha Singh in the 2013 biopic Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, it became his most defining performance. The film, directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, was both a commercial and critical success, earning Farhan multiple Best Actor awards and cementing his reputation as a serious performer. Yet, not everyone was equally impressed—especially veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah.

Back in 2014, Shah had openly criticized the film, calling it “a false film” and dismissing Farhan’s portrayal as overly stylized. He remarked that simply growing hair and building muscles wasn’t true acting and accused the film of promoting unnecessary jingoism, particularly over its climax where Milkha triumphs over a Pakistani runner. Shah said that despite the movie’s visual appeal, it pandered to sentimentality rather than authenticity.

For years, the remarks lingered as one of Bollywood’s most talked-about celebrity criticisms. But in late 2025, Farhan Akhtar finally addressed the controversy. Speaking about Shah’s comments, Farhan said he found it “distasteful” that the veteran actor chose to voice his disapproval publicly. He added that he had known Shah since childhood, having worked with him in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, and would have appreciated a private conversation instead. “If you want me to improve in my work, there’s a way of communicating that. I would have picked up the phone and said, ‘Come home, let’s talk.’ But to go to the press and say this—I found that distasteful,” he said.

Responding to Farhan’s statement, Naseeruddin Shah later clarified that his words had been exaggerated over the years. “He is right, but I think my statement has been blown out of proportion. I don’t think you need to be a genius to figure that out—read both statements,” he quipped, suggesting that the media had amplified the tension between them.

Despite the differences, both actors remain respected for their contributions to Indian cinema. Bhaag Milkha Bhaag itself continues to be celebrated for its inspirational storytelling, and even the real Milkha Singh once told Farhan that the film added “ten years” to his life by reviving his legacy.

Meanwhile, Farhan Akhtar is now gearing up for his next ambitious project, 120 Bahadur, where he will portray Major Shaitan Singh in a retelling of the historic 1962 Sino-Indian War. The film promises to be another intense, real-life role—one that might again test the boundaries between physical transformation and emotional depth.

In the end, the exchange between Shah and Akhtar serves as a lesson on creative differences in Bollywood—where passion, perspective, and ego often collide under the spotlight.

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