Haider in fresh controversy: This is NOT Talibanism, Anupam Kher slams Vishal Bhardwaj

Updated: Wednesday, March 25, 2015, 17:38 [IST]

Mumbai, March 25: Bollywood veteran actor Anupam Kher lashed out at National Award winner director Vishal Bhardwaj.

Bhardwaj's movie Haider won five National Awards on Tuesday, March 24. The director created a new controversy soon after the announcement.

Bhardwaj dedicated the victory to Kashmiri Pandits. Commenting on the awards, Bhardwaj was quoted as saying, "I dedicate my award to them and I feel very sad because they misunderstood my feelings."

He also added, "I have said it before that the tragedy of Kashmiri Pandits is very big."

Bhardwaj's statement did not go well with senior Bollywood actor Anupam Kher.

Kher, who is one of the known faces championing the cause of Kashmiri Pandits, was upset with the Haider director.

Writing on micro-blogging site Twitter, Kher said, "While I congratulate Vishal Bhardwaj for National Awards but dedicating them to #KashmiriPandits genocide is such a fraudish thing to do. When was last time Vishal Bhardwaj spoke about d plight of #KashmiriPandits?"

He also added, "He in fact humiliated us by doing dance of devil at our temple. The so called 'Hindu' centric Govt. gave Haider 5 National Awards which many felt was anti-Hindu & anti Indian Army. This is NOT Talibanism."