Anupam Kher Responds To Hansal Mehta's Criticism Of The Accidental Prime Minister Film

Following the death of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, India reflected on his legacy. A controversy emerged around the film "The Accidental Prime Minister," starring Anupam Kher as Dr. Singh. Released in 2019, the movie is based on a memoir by Sanjaya Baru, Dr. Singh's media advisor. Criticism arose from a journalist accusing the film of misrepresenting the former PM, with creative director Hansal Mehta agreeing, which surprised Kher.

This disagreement began when journalist Vir Sanghvi criticized "The Accidental Prime Minister" as one of the worst Hindi films, claiming it damaged Dr. Singh's reputation. Mehta supported Sanghvi's view with a "+100" response, which puzzled Kher. The actor questioned how Mehta could criticize a project he was deeply involved in creatively. Kher expressed his thoughts in a post: "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 quickly defended both his role and the movie on his X profile, calling his portrayal of Dr. Singh one of his best performances. He criticized Mehta for supporting negative views about a project he contributed to significantly. Kher highlighted Mehta's inconsistency, noting that despite being paid and providing creative input during production, Mehta distanced himself from the final product.

"The Accidental Prime Minister," featuring Akshaye Khanna, Suzanne Bernert, and Aahana Kumra alongside Kher, adapted Baru's 2014 memoir into a film. It aimed to explore Dr. Singh's time as Prime Minister, focusing on his media interactions and political journey. Despite its controversial reception and debates over its portrayal of real figures, it offers insights into political leadership complexities.

Kher elaborated on their working relationship during filming, suggesting Mehta's actions might be an attempt to appeal to certain audiences. While disagreeing with the journalist's views, Kher acknowledged everyone's right to their opinion but urged Mehta to recognize their shared efforts instead of engaging in petty criticisms. To support his point, Kher mentioned having extensive photographic and video evidence of their collaboration.

The controversy surrounding "The Accidental Prime Minister" highlights challenges in balancing artistic interpretation with historical accuracy in biographical films. The public dispute between Kher and Mehta underscores complexities in depicting real-life events on screen, sparking broader discussions about responsibility and representation in cinema.