Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah found himself in an uncomfortable situation at Hyderabad airport on February 8, 2026, when a journalist persistently questioned him about his last-minute removal from Mumbai University's Jashn-e-Urdu event. The video of the encounter quickly went viral, sparking outrage on social media.

Shah, accompanied by his wife Ratna Pathak Shah, was approached by a reporter from Times Now. The journalist inquired about Shah's reaction to being allegedly disinvited from the Mumbai University event without explanation or apology. Shah, visibly tired from his journey, firmly stated, "I do not want to talk about this issue, so please do not harass me".

Despite the actor's clear refusal to comment, the journalist persisted with questions. This prompted Shah to express his frustration, questioning the reporter's insensitivity: "What kind of people are you? Can't you see that I have just come in from a journey and I have said to you politely that I do not want to talk about this issue. Why are you persisting, why are you harassing me?".

The incident has ignited a debate on media ethics and the boundaries of journalistic inquiry. Many social media users have voiced their support for Shah, criticizing the reporter's behavior as harassment. Comments online included sentiments like "there was no need to harass him at the airport when he clearly stated he did not want to answer". Some users expressed stronger opinions, with one saying, "if you shove a mic in someone's mouth he has the right to push you away. Utterly shameless".

The controversy also drew a political reaction when AIMIM leader Imtiaz Jaleel controversially suggested that Shah should have slapped the reporter. This statement further fueled the debate, with some criticizing the endorsement of aggression, while others defended it, citing alleged media harassment of public figures.

The backdrop to this airport confrontation is Shah's earlier claim of being disinvited from Mumbai University's Jashn E Urdu event at the last minute. In an opinion piece, Shah had detailed the incident, hinting that political pressure may have influenced the decision. However, the university has not issued any official confirmation regarding the reasons for the alleged disinvitation.

This is not the first time Shah has been caught in an uncomfortable airport encounter. In 2024, he was visibly upset with fans at Delhi airport who were attempting to take selfies with him.

The recent incident at Hyderabad airport underscores the challenges faced by public figures in balancing their right to privacy with the media's pursuit of news. It also raises important questions about the ethical limits of journalism and the need for respectful engagement between reporters and individuals in the public eye.