Why Naseeruddin Shah Was 'Uninvited' From University Event? Watch His Exclusive Reaction

Naseeruddin Shah has never feared expressing his thoughts openly in public. Be it his clear political opinions or sharp reviews on cinema, the veteran never minces words. Recently, he courted a fresh controversy for his Op-Ed in a leading newspaper. Shah expressed his disappointment at Mumbai University for inviting him to the Jashn-e-Urdu event but cancelling it at the last moment. In the Op-Ed, Naseeruddin highlighted his 40-year-long association with teaching and mentoring aspiring actors while revealing that the university uninvited him on the night of January 31, informing him that his attendance is not needed the next morning.

Why Naseeruddin Shah couldn't attend Mumbai University event?

Connecting the incident with his political views, Shah added that the university offered no apology or explanation for uninviting him. The actor further shared that the organisers ‘added insult to injury’ by declaring at the event that he chose not to attend. Shah alleged that the senior university official reportedly said the actor ‘openly makes statements against the country’ and he strongly refuted the claim. He also challenged the official to produce ‘one single statement’ made against the country.

Talking about his political inclinations being a reason behind this, Naseeruddin said he has been critical of how the ‘self-proclaimed Vishwaguru’ conducts himself and his rule in the country, but that was never against the country. In addition, he added that what was once two minutes of hate has now turned into 24 hours of hate. He also observed how not praising the ‘great leader’ is seen as anti-national. Saying that this wasn’t the country that taught him to love, Naseeruddin noted the issues he has with the political scenario in India, which also include detention of student activists without trial, the granting of bail to those convicted of serious crimes, the rise of cow vigilantism, and changes to history textbooks. Questioning prolonged hostility, he condemned the hate-filled atmosphere.

Amid the row over veteran actor's op-ed, Naseeruddin Shah refuses to comment when confronted by Times Now’s @YakkatiSowmith.Watch

the entire sequence here! pic.twitter.com/yGfYkyJnfs

— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) February 5, 2026

Naseeruddin Shah reacts

Mumbai University is yet to respond to Naseeruddin Shah’s Op-Ed. On the other hand, when the veteran actor was asked to clarify his statement by a Times Now reporter at the airport, he denied commenting on it. “I do not want to talk about the issue. Please do not harass me.” He further pushed the mic and walked off. When confronted, the actor refused to speak. Ratna Pathak Shah handled the heated situation calmly, while respecting the reporter’s integrity.