Naseeruddin Shah Criticises Bollywood’s Portrayal Of Masculinity: ‘It Feeds Secret Fantasies Of Men’
Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah, known for his outspoken views, has once again raised concerns about the changing landscape of Bollywood. Speaking at the Kerala Literature Festival, the 74-year-old actor criticized films that glorify masculinity while demeaning femininity, stating that such portrayals contribute to deep-seated gender biases in society.
Shah, who has acted in over 100 films, questioned whether Bollywood reflects societal realities or merely feeds into the fantasies of a patriarchal mindset. “I think the films which feed into the secret fantasies of men, who in their heart of hearts look down on women, these are being fed,” The Indian Express quoted him as saying. He further described the widespread acceptance of such films as “terrifying,” suggesting that it partly explains the continued mistreatment of women in certain parts of India.
The veteran actor also acknowledged that he had, at times, taken up roles purely for financial reasons. While he expressed regret over some of these choices, he took solace in the fact that audiences tend to remember an actor’s good work rather than their less notable performances.
In a thought-provoking remark, Shah speculated on how future generations might perceive contemporary Indian society through Bollywood films. “If 100 years later people want to know what India of 2025 was like, and they find a Bollywood film, that would be a big tragedy,” he remarked.
On the professional front, Naseeruddin Shah recently appeared in Fateh, an action-thriller released in 2025, marking the directorial debut of actor Sonu Sood. In 2024, he starred alongside Vijay Varma in the Netflix series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack.
