Ashoke Pandit Slams Naseeruddin Shah Over Dimagi Naxal Row
Ashoke Pandit called Naseeruddin Shah a compulsive abuser and suggested a psychiatrist after his Dimagi Naxal video. The divide sharpens.
Filmmaker and producer Ashoke Pandit has hit back at Naseeruddin Shah after the veteran actor wore a “Dimagi Naxal” badge in a Facebook video supporting students at Delhi’s Jamia Millia Islamia. Speaking to ANI, Pandit called Shah a “compulsive abuser” and suggested that he consult a psychiatrist.
It is the latest flashpoint in a long-running divide within the Hindi film industry over celebrity activism, student politics and the commercial success of politically charged films.
What Shah said
Shah had shared a video in which he backed Jamia students campaigning for the restoration of their student union. He wore a badge that read “Dimagi Naxal,” said he proudly identified with the label, and questioned how the Centre had handled student protests. He also referred to labels such as “anti-national” and “tukde tukde gang.”
Pandit’s response
Pandit told ANI he was neither shocked nor surprised by Shah’s language, claiming that the actor had become increasingly aggressive over the past several months. He described Shah as a “compulsive abuser” and said his on-camera expressions exposed frustration.
“The kind of language which he uses, the way he distorts his face, he exposes his frustration,” Pandit said.
He then suggested a psychiatrist: “A normal person will not behave like this.”
The film politics behind the feud
Pandit went further, connecting Shah’s anger to ideological discomfort over films that have done well commercially. He named:
- The Kashmir Files
- The Kerala Story
- Dhurandhar
In Pandit’s view, these narratives do not suit Shah and others, and the actor is suffering from an “inferiority complex.” The comment turns a political disagreement into a personal critique, and it has already started a debate about whether mental-health language belongs in celebrity spats.
Why the exchange matters
For fans, this is more than a headline. It shows how student movements and film releases are becoming proxies for larger ideological battles in entertainment. Every new statement from a star is now read not only for its politics but also for its effect on public image, fandom and future collaborations.
Naseeruddin Shah has not responded to Pandit at the time of writing. The criticism also comes as Shah has recently spoken in support of students at the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, making his latest video part of a longer pattern of student-related commentary.
Whether other industry figures weigh in next is the question fans are watching.
Source: Bollywood Hungama
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