Piyush Mishra Challenges Shah
Actor Piyush Mishra Questions Naseeruddin Shah Over Selective Public Causes and Protests
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Key Points
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The Flydubai episode Mishra cited involved an attempted cockpit attack by the co-pilot. Captain Smit Machchhar was injured but managed to unlock the cockpit so crew and passengers could intervene, after which the aircraft was diverted safely; reports differ on the number of passengers saved, citing 174 or 180.
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Vishal Dadlani was among the film-industry personalities reported to have attended the CJP protest alongside Shah.
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Mishra challenged Shah’s earlier statement that students had taught him as much as the National School of Drama and the Film and Television Institute of India, sarcastically asking when students had become acting teachers.
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The Times of India reported that Shah had previously criticised major Bollywood figures for staying silent about student protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, adding background to the dispute over whose causes celebrities speak about.
Actor and musician Piyush Mishra posted a video questioning veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah's choice of public causes after Shah attended a Cockroach Janata Party protest in Mumbai. Moneycontrol reported that Mishra challenged Shah to also praise Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar for his heroic actions during an onboard cockpit attack that saved 174 to 180 passengers.
Mishra urged Shah to comment on alleged police violence involving Lovely Professional University students and revisited a Jharkhand student protest where Shah previously sent a poem instead of practical help. Times of India noted that Shah had earlier criticized major Bollywood figures for staying silent about student protests at Delhi's Jantar Mantar.
The Flydubai Hero Mishra Says Shah Ignored
Captain Smit Machchhar faced a life-or-death moment when the co-pilot attempted to seize the cockpit during a Flydubai flight. News18 reported that Machchhar was injured but managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing crew and passengers to intervene and stop the attack. The aircraft was diverted safely with 174 to 180 passengers on board.
Mishra used this incident to highlight what he saw as selective activism. He sarcastically told Shah: 'Congratulate Captain Smith Machchhar as well.' The comment suggested that heroic actions by ordinary citizens deserve the same public recognition as political activism.
Student Causes and Shah's Mixed Response
Mishra raised two student-related incidents where Shah's activism had come under scrutiny. Moneycontrol reported that in a Jharkhand protest, Shah sent a poem instead of offering practical help that students had requested. Mishra challenged Shah's earlier claim that students taught him as much as the National School of Drama and Film and Television Institute of India.
The actor also pointed to alleged police violence at Lovely Professional University. News18 noted that Mishra asked why Shah had not spoken out about the LPU incident while publicly supporting the Chief Election Commissioner's resignation at the CJP protest in Mumbai.
Bollywood's History of Staying Silent on Protests
The dispute reflects a larger pattern in Bollywood activism. Times of India reported that Shah had previously criticized major film industry figures for remaining silent about student protests at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. This backstory adds context to why Mishra's challenge specifically zeroed in on Shah's selective choice of causes.
Moneycontrol reported that Vishal Dadlani was among entertainment personalities who joined Shah at the CJP protest. The incident underscores ongoing tension within Bollywood over which public causes deserve celebrity attention and support.
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