Naseer's up in arms

Has bone to pick with fundamental elements. Plays a mullah in next film

Naseeruddin Shah is a very angry man just ahead of the release of Khuda Ke Liye, the first Pakistani film to be released in India. Shah plays a liberal mullah in the film.Wrong focusThe actor blasts conservative elements for attacking Sania Mirza and Shah Rukh Khan. Says Naseer, “I don’t think the majority of people in any community should be identified with the views expressed by a handful of religious fundamentalists. Look at poor little Sania. Why focus on her skirt when she’s doing our country proud? Why not concentrate on real issues like women’s education?” He continues, “Some guy in Chattisgarh pulls up Shah Rukh for smoking. Some people decide that listening to music is haraam…. Who gives them the right to decide?”ImportantAt 59, Shah continues to be as outspoken as ever. Says he, “A film like Khuda Ke Liye is brave and must be watched in the smaller cities like Aligarh and Surat. So I hope the distributors aren’t planning a metro-centric release. I’m surprised to know it’s being released in India. It’s the first Pakistani film to be released in India, and that makes it even more important. It was well received in Pakistan. I wonder how it will be received in our country!”Naseer’s roleNaseer plays a rational clergyman who’s summoned to interpret the Quran when a young girl is accused of moral misconduct. “My role in KKL is only a cameo. I come into the picture two hours into the story. The film belongs to the young Pakistani actor Shaan, who plays a rock star. He’s the SRK of Pakistan. And hats off to him for playing such a role and being in a film that’s not about entertainment.”