13 Jun. 24: In a candid interview with Karan Thapar for The Wire, Naseeruddin Shah, one of India’s most distinguished actors, voiced his thoughts on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the recent election results. Shah expressed a desire to see Modi don a skullcap, suggesting it would be a significant gesture to reassure Muslims of his inclusivity.
Shah remarked, “I’d like to see Modi wear a skull cap someday,” viewing it as a move to show that Modi harbors no aversion toward the Muslim community. He added, “If he can convince Muslims of that, it would be a great help.”
The actor was critical of Modi’s rhetoric over the years, stating that the Prime Minister has increasingly made less sense. He went as far as to say, “If Modi believes he has been sent by God or is God, that should scare the daylights out of everybody.”
Reflecting on the BJP’s recent electoral loss, Shah admitted his initial reaction was to gloat, though he also felt a sense of relief. The party experienced its worst Lok Sabha performance in a decade, a result that Shah believes will be difficult for Modi to accept, given his assumed expectation of being “prime minister for life.”
Shah was skeptical about Modi’s ability to transform his image and approach. He commented, “He’s not that good an actor…his measured smile and crocodile tears have never convinced me…he can’t put on a convincing act of becoming the new Modi.”
The interview highlighted Shah’s concerns about Modi’s future governance and the challenges he faces in reshaping his political persona post-election.
