Mukesh Khanna calls out Sharmila Tagore over Vande Mataram remark: 'You became Ayesha Begum after marriage'

Mukesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore pic: Instagram

Mukesh Khanna has strongly reacted to Sharmila Tagore's remarks amid the ongoing Vande Mataram debate. The veteran actor, who essayed Bhishma in Mahabharat and Shaktimaan, questioned why relegious considerations should come into play when it comes to singing the national song in full.

Mukesh Khanna questions Sharmila Tagore's stance

In a conversation with The Free Press Journal, Mukesh Khanna was asked about Sharmila Tagore's reported comments that only the opening stanzas of Vande Mataram should be sung, keeping India's religious diversity and the sentiments of different communities in mind.

However, Mukesh disagreed with the statement and said, "She is speaking according to her own understanding. I don't know why she said it. Maybe while explaining her point of view, she ended up saying that people from other religions may not understand or accept it."

Mukesh calls Sharmila Tagore 'Ayesha Begum'

He then referred to Sharmila's marriage into the Pataudi family and called her "Ayesha Begum" while questioning her stance. Mukesh said, "Did you realise only after marriage that Islam also exists? When you became a Begum, did you then realise that Muslims follow a different faith? You became Ayesha Begum for marriage, but today you are speaking as Ayesha Begum."

He further highlighted her Bengali roots and cultural upbringing, saying, "You grew up in Bengal, where Kali Puja is celebrated on such a large scale. You have grown up with Bengali culture and Bengali films. Why is it only now that you feel that people from another religion may not accept this?"

Mukesh Khanna explains his view on Vande Mataram

Returning to the Vande Mataram debate, Mukesh claimed that objections from sections of the Muslim community historically stemmed not only from references to Hindu deities but also from the belief that one should bow only before God.

Mukesh also referred to different renditions of Vande Mataram by Lata Mangeshkar, Hemant Kumar and AR Rahman. He specifically highlighted Rahman's Maa Tujhe Salaam and said, "He says ‘Maa Tujhe Salaam'. He is calling her Maa and offering a salute." Mukesh said that people should show respect for the nation but added that nobody should be pressured to physically bow.

Mukesh also slammed what he described as political appeasement surrounding the controversy. "You are not following a principle; you are following appeasement. You are trying to show Muslims that you are still with them so that they vote for you. That is the whole problem," he concluded