Mumbai, Oct 29 (PTI): Veteran Bollywood actor Anupam Kher has slammed the directors, who returned their National Awards in solidarity with the protesting Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) students, calling it a move motivated by "agenda".

Filmmakers Dibakar Banerjee, Anand Patwardhan and eight others on Wednesday returned their National Awards, saying their decision to return the awards was taken in view of the apathy displayed by the government in addressing the students' issues and the general environment of intolerance against debate.

Kher, 60, whose wife Kirron Kher is a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Chandigarh in nothern Indian state of Punjab, termed the group of directors "Award Wapsi Gang".

"Some more usual suspects, who never wanted @narendramodi to become PM in d first place have joined the #AwardWapsi gang. Jai Ho," he tweeted.

"Some of these usual suspects of #AwardWapsiGang were instrumental in getting me out of Censor Board the moment Congress came in power. #Agenda."

The actor said the filmmakers have insulted the National Awards jury and the audience, who watches their films.

"This #AwardWapsiGang has not insulted the Govt but The Jury, The Chairman of the Jury and the audience who watched their films. #Agenda," he posted.