Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Oct 5: Actor-writer Piyush Mishra has taken a swipe at veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah following his appearance at a Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest in Mumbai, questioning why his long-time colleague had not spoken about several other recent national issues.
Shah attended a CJP demonstration at Shivaji Park on Friday, where the party demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Following the protest, Mishra posted a video message on social media in which he directly addressed Shah and raised a series of questions.
"Yes, Naseer Sahib, I offer my regards. I am Piyush Mishra, an old acquaintance of yours," Mishra said, before referring to the recent incident involving Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar.
Mishra asked Shah to also comment on the incident and congratulate Machchhar, who was reportedly involved in averting an attempted mid-air crash involving a Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
Machchhar, who was reportedly the pilot of the flight, was said to have sustained serious injuries during an alleged cockpit attack involving his co-pilot. He subsequently managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing the crew and passengers to intervene and the aircraft to be diverted safely.
Mishra also questioned Shah over his silence on police action during a recent student protest at Lovely Professional University, referring to Shah's earlier remarks about student movements.
"You were saying, 'These students have taught me as much as the National School of Drama (NSD) and Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) have taught me'... I don't know when these students became acting teachers. If you find it, please disclose it," Mishra said.
He further recalled seeking Shah's support for relief work in Jharkhand and claimed that Shah had responded by sending him a poem by a Pakistani poet instead of providing material assistance.
"When I asked you for help for Jharkhand, you sent me a poem by a Pakistani poet. They didn't want a poem... They wanted flour, lentils, bread, jaggery, litti, and chokha," Mishra said.
Mishra has previously participated in student-related issues, including travelling to Jharkhand to express solidarity with students protesting there. He attended demonstrations and questioned the wider film industry's lack of visible support for their cause.
Neither Shah nor his representatives have publicly responded to Mishra's latest remarks.
Shah's appearance at the Mumbai protest came as the CJP stepped up its campaign against the Election Commission. The party has announced a protest at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar on October 10 if Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar does not resign, while also planning demonstrations in cities including Kolkata, Bengaluru and Ranchi.