Anupam Kher Responds To Hansal Mehta's Criticism Of The Accidental Prime Minister; Asks Him To 'Grow Up'

In the wake of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh's passing, a wave of reflection swept over India, celebrating his contributions. Amidst this, a controversy arose over the film "The Accidental Prime Minister," which Anupam Kher starred in, portraying Dr. Singh. The film, released in 2019 and based on a memoir by Sanjaya Baru, Dr. Singh's media advisor, came under fire from a journalist for allegedly spreading falsehoods about the former PM. In an unexpected twist, Hansal Mehta, the film's creative director, concurred with the criticism, sparking a strong reaction from Kher.

Kher's response was swift and public. He took to his X profile to defend the movie and his portrayal of Dr. Singh, which he deemed one of his finest performances. Kher highlighted the paradox in Mehta's stance, criticizing him for endorsing a negative view on a project he was deeply involved in. The actor's disappointment was palpable as he underscored Mehta's hypocrisy, pointing out that despite providing creative inputs and being compensated for his work during the film's production, Mehta opted to disassociate himself from the film's final output.

This discord was ignited by Vir Sanghvi, a reputable journalist, who labeled "The Accidental Prime Minister" as one of the worst Hindi films, accusing it of tarnishing Dr. Singh's image. Mehta's agreement with Sanghvi's assessment, denoted by a "+100" reaction to the tweet, did not sit well with Kher. The actor expressed his bewilderment at how Mehta, having been an integral part of the movie's creative process, could openly criticize it. Kher articulated his thoughts in a pointed post, stating, "The HYPOCRITE in this thread is NOT @virsanghvi. He has the freedom to not like a film. But @mehtahansal was the #CreativeDirector of #TheAccidentalPrimeMinister. He was present at the entire film shoot in England, giving creative inputs and must have taken the fee also for it."

Kher further elaborated on the dynamics of their work relationship during the film's production, suggesting that Mehta's actions were perhaps aimed at gaining favor with a particular audience. Despite his disagreements with the journalist's opinions, Kher maintained that everyone is entitled to their viewpoint. However, he urged Mehta to acknowledge their shared efforts and move beyond petty criticisms. To underscore his point, Kher revealed that he possesses ample photographic and video evidence of their collaboration, indicating the depth of their joint endeavor.

"The Accidental Prime Minister," with a cast including Akshaye Khanna, Suzanne Bernert, and Aahana Kumra alongside Kher, was a cinematic adaptation of Baru's revealing memoir from 2014. The film aimed to shed light on Dr. Singh's tenure as Prime Minister, focusing on his relationship with the media and his political journey. Despite its controversial reception and the ensuing debate over its portrayal of real-life figures, the movie offers a glimpse into the complexities of political leadership and media perception.

In summary, the controversy surrounding "The Accidental Prime Minister" underscores the delicate balance between artistic interpretation and historical accuracy in biographical films. The public disagreement between Kher and Mehta highlights the complexities and challenges of depicting real-life events and personalities on the silver screen, sparking a broader conversation about responsibility and representation in cinema.