BJP MP and actor Kangana Ranaut has defended her controversial “lomdi” (fox) remark against veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah, escalating an ongoing public exchange over Bollywood’s response to student protests and political issues.
Ranaut argued that the film industry has repeatedly shown what she described as selective concern over protests. She also questioned Bollywood’s continued references to Pakistan in films, interviews and public statements.
The latest dispute follows comments by Shah on the silence of Bollywood celebrities over student protests in Delhi and Jharkhand. Ranaut has challenged those who spoke about the Jantar Mantar protests to also address the situation involving protesting job aspirants in Jharkhand.
Kangana Ranaut hits back at Bollywood over protest response
Speaking to news agency, Ranaut said she believed the film industry had demonstrated a similar attitude during earlier incidents involving protests and attacks on political figures.
She recalled protests outside her residence and claimed that a large police presence had been required when thousands of people gathered outside her home. According to Ranaut, celebrities who expressed concern over other protests had remained silent during such incidents.
She also criticised what she sees as a lack of consistency in Bollywood’s response to different political and social issues.
‘Bollywood seem perpetually obsessed with Pakistan’
Ranaut also turned her criticism towards Bollywood’s portrayal and discussion of Pakistan.
Questioning the continued focus on the neighbouring country, she argued that the issue had persisted decades after Partition and said the film industry should explain why Pakistan continues to feature prominently in its films and public discourse.
Her remarks add another layer to the ongoing war of words involving Shah and several other Bollywood personalities.
Why Kangana called Naseeruddin Shah ‘lomdi’
The controversy intensified after Shah questioned the silence of film personalities over the student protests. His comments prompted criticism from Ranaut, who later backed actor Piyush Mishra’s remarks about Shah.
Ranaut subsequently used the term “lomdi” while targeting Shah in a social media post. She contrasted the word with “dog”, arguing that loyalty was a quality she valued and saying she would rather be a dog than a fox like Shah.
Jharkhand student protests become flashpoint
The Jharkhand protests have become a key part of Ranaut’s argument. Job aspirants had gathered over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations, with the demonstration later turning tense.
Police reportedly used measures including water cannons, tear gas and lathi-charge after the situation escalated. Several protesters and police personnel were injured.
Ranaut has raised the issue in Parliament and questioned the treatment of students, arguing that those who had expressed concern over protests in Delhi should also speak about the Jharkhand demonstrations.
The latest exchange comes after Ranaut herself faced criticism over earlier comments about Gen Z. She had previously described the generation in disparaging terms before later saying that young people represented an important strength of the country.
