
Indian cinema shouldn’t be remembered for Salman Khan films, says Naseeruddin Shah
Naseeruddin Shah believes cinema serves as a record of times and he would not want the audience to look back at 2018 as the phase of only one kind of cinema, case in point “Salman Khan films”. The veteran actor says cinema is for posterity and hence he takes it as his responsibility to do as many socially relevant films as possible.
“I feel that cinema can’t change society or bring a revolution. I’m also not sure of cinema as a medium of education. Documentaries can be educative, not feature films. People see them and forget. The only serious function films can serve is to act as a record of their times,” Shah told PTI.
The actor says it’s for this reason that he chose to work in movies like A Wednesday or his recent short film, Rogan Josh, set in the aftermath of 26/11 attacks. “I consider it my responsibility to take part in such films. All my serious works are a representative of their times. Cinema will survive. These films would be seen 200 years later.
“People should know what the India of 2018 was like. They shouldn’t end up seeing only Salman Khan films 200 years later. India is not like that. Cinema is for posterity,” he adds. Rogan Josh by Sanjeev Vig, features Shah as a celebrated chef at The Taj Hotels who invites his family and friends home for dinner to celebrate his birthday.
The dinner table conversation meanders to the shared experience of 26/11 and questions the quality of their existence after the life changing event. Shah, 68, says he is always keen to work with young people who are struggling against odds to make what they believe in.
“If there’s a young man trying to make a song and dance film, I wouldn’t give him a second. But here was a young man trying to make a film on a subject he believes should be made. “I am totally for first timers. I always hear them seriously. I have done so many films with first timers and I’ve never regretted it,” he says.
Rogan Josh, by Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films, was screened at the 20th edition of Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival. The actor, who has worked in a couple of short films, says the medium is absolutely liberating for budding filmmakers.
“The great thing about short films is that there’s no pressure of producers sitting on these filmmakers head and telling them who the hero should be and what kind of songs (to he used). “They are having the freedom to make the kind of film they want to make without the worry of box office,” he adds.
(This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.)
Follow @htshowbiz for more

Aahana Kumra: If you’re hardworking, not stuck up about playing only lead roles, there’s enough work

Tahir Raj Bhasin: Very confident Kabir Khan has a winner on hand with ‘83

Anil Kapoor on response to AK vs AK and big films in hand: It’s a new phase in my career

Shakti Kapoor reacts to Shraddha Kapoor-Rohan Shrestha wedding rumours

Ekta Kapoor hosts grand birthday bash for son Ravie: KJo, Riteish, Neelam attend
- Several Bollywood celebrities such as Karan Johar; Riteish Deshmukh and his wife, Genelia; Sussanne Khan; and Neelam Kothari Soni, were spotted at the birthday party of Ekta Kapoor's son, Ravie.

When Shah Rukh Khan secretly pinched Kajol during a romantic scene in Baazigar

Bollywood goes all out with a Bernie Sanders meme fest

When Bobby Deol courted wife Tanya by cold calling her 'at an absurd hour'
- Bobby Deol's wife, Tanya, once recalled the story of how the actor made moves on her by calling her in the dead of night, only to be ignored.

Anita Hassanandani channels ‘Beyonce vibes’ in stunning maternity photoshoot

Preity Zinta says she felt like Bobby Deol's ‘personal assistant' during Soldier

Khushi takes lessons in classical Indian dance with cousin Shanaya, see pic
- A picture of Khushi Kapoor and her cousin, Shanaya, taking dance lessons, is being widely shared online.

Madhuri celebrates 32 years of Ram Lakhan, can you recognize others in this pic?

Shilpa Shetty reveals why she married Raj Kundra, calls him 'phenomenal father'

Masaba says she's seen 'kids who're bad at their jobs being told they're kings'
- Masaba Gupta has thanked her mother, actor Neena Gupta, for keeping her grounded. "I have seen kids who are really bad at what they do, being told that they are kings and queens," she said.
