Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah on Saturday criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) while extending support to students of the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) staging an indefinite sit-in over campus violence, accusing the party of taking “revenge” on those who do not subscribe to its beliefs and policies.In an Instagram video, Shah alleged that SRFTI students were the latest targets of the BJP’s vendetta following its “manipulative victory” in the West Bengal Assembly elections earlier this year.“Namaskar, adab, I’m Naseeruddin Shah. The BJP, the bloody jhooti party, after its manipulative victory in the Bengal elections now seems all out for revenge on anyone who does not subscribe to their beliefs and their policies,” Shah said.“The latest victims of this vendetta are the students, the aspiring filmmakers of the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute.

In return for their demand for accountability from the administration, they have been served show cause notices, put under surveillance, threatened and now have even been asked to vacate the hostels,” he added. While criticising the political party, Shah said the BJP was not "content with backing and encouraging shameless propaganda in its favour."“It is now hoping either to brainwash or frighten the future filmmakers of this country and I can promise you that is not going to happen," the 76-year-old said, adding, "These are the young people who in the future will tell us the truth about themselves and about our country and about the state we are in." “I urge all right-minded citizens to support the demands of the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute students,” Shah concluded.SRFTI students have been staging an indefinite sit-in outside Vice-Chancellor Santosh Ajmera’s office since October 12, seeking his resignation over incidents of campus violence.A clash broke out at Kolkata’s SRFTI on Sunday between students and members of the Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat (ABGP), a right-wing consumer group that had rented the institute’s main auditorium for a programme.

Both sides accused the other of starting the violence.In an official order released on October 16, the SRFTI suspended all regular academic operations across its film, electronic, and digital media faculties until November 13, ordering students to leave the premises within 24 hours.The institute was on its Puja vacation until October 21, 2026. The protesting students maintained a firm stance and continued their sit-in on campus, highlighting safety lapses and calling for action against those responsible for the violence.Meanwhile, Shah was last seen in director Imtiaz Ali's romantic drama, Main Vaapas Aaunga (2026), featuring actors Diljit Dosanjh, Vedang Raina and Sharvari in key roles.The veteran was also seen in the MX Player series, Made in India: A Titan Story (2026).

He played the character of late Indian entrepreneur JRD Tata in the show.- Ends