‘Naseeruddin Shah is perhaps an agnostic’: Son Vivaan says he never spoke about religion, god; remembers visiting Ajmer Sharif Dargah with him

If there is anyone in the film industry who has consistently spoken his mind without fear, it has to be none other than Naseeruddin Shah. Whether sharing opinions about fellow actors, films, or broader socio-political issues, Naseer has always expressed whatever is on his mind. Yet, there is one area where he has rarely spoken directly, his beliefs about god and religion. Recently, his son Vivaan Shah opened up about this in a conversation with Bollywood Bubble, and confirmed some of what has long been speculated.

When asked whether his father is an atheist, Vivaan paused thoughtfully and said, “You know, this is a really good question, and I really don’t know.” Addressing the apparent contradiction of his father possibly not being a believer but still visiting the Ajmer Sharif Dargah, Vivaan added, “Absolutely. Actually, before exams, we always used to go to Ajmer Sharif. I used to go to pray that I would get good marks. But it is an interesting question, and I should ask him, because I have never heard him directly talk about this. In fact, on this topic, he has not expressed any view that is definitive.”

He went on to explain how many individuals grapple with ambiguity regarding faith in their lives, regardless of whether they are believers or not. “So with my father, it is something like that. I would say he is maybe agnostic, perhaps.”

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Some years ago, Naseer had spoke about what many term the ongoing polarisation in India. He emphasised that it was crucial for Muslims in India to stop feeling victimised and assert their rightful place in the country. “It seems essential for Muslims in India to get over the feeling of victimisation they are in now; it is a trap all too easy to stumble into, we must determine to stop feeling persecuted, all evidence to the contrary notwithstanding; we must stop hoping for salvation from somewhere and take matters into our own hands, not least of all to take pride in our Indianness and assert our claim on our country,” he wrote in Hindustan Times.

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