Actor Anupam Kher and filmmaker Hansal Mehta recently had a virtual debate over the 2019 film The Accidental Prime Minister. After Anupam called Hansal a ‘hypocrite’, the director responded on 27 December and admitted his mistake for being a part of the film.

The online feud started when Hansal supported journalist Veer Sanghvi’s ex-post, which described the film as ‘one of the worst Hindi films’. In response, the veteran actor called Hansal a ‘hypocrite’.

Veer Sanghvi wrote, ‘If you want to remember the lies told about Manmohan Singh then you should watch again The Accidental Prime Minister. Not only is it one of the worst Hindi films ever made, but it is an example of how the media was used to tarnish the name of a good man.

Hansal reacted to the same with “+100”.

This upset Anupam, who Played the role of hero Manmohan Singh, This in turn prompted him to criticize the filmmaker. Calling out the director of The Buckingham Murders, Kher wrote, “@mehtahansal was the #CreativeDirector of #TheAccidentalPrimeMinister. Who was present during the entire shooting of the film in England! They are giving their creative input and may have also charged fees for it. So for them to say 100% on #VirSanghvi’s comment is very messed up and full of double standards.

“Not that I agree with Mr. Sanghvi, but we are all capable of doing bad or indifferent work. But we should own it. Not like #HansalMehta, who is trying to make some money from a certain section of people. Come on Hansal!! I still have all the videos and pictures from the shoot together!” He further said that the post strongly condemned the “double standards” of the filmmaker.

Take a look at the post here:

Hansal gave it back to the actor and wrote, “Of course I own up to my mistakes Mr. Kher. And I can admit that I made a mistake. Can’t I sir? I did my job as professionally as I was allowed. Can you deny it? But that doesn’t mean I have to keep defending the film or that it causes me to lose objectivity about its error of judgment. Regarding brownie points and hypocrisy, I respectfully submit that you are evaluating people by the same yardstick on which you evaluate yourself.

He also tweeted, “And by the way @anupampkher sir… you can say whatever you want. Call me by name if you want. Sorry if I hurt you unintentionally. Sending love to you.” We will speak up whenever you want and I will not let the trolls have a field day at our expense, Merry Christmas to you and all the others. Best wishes in advance (sic).”

Anupam Kher played the role of Dr. Manmohan Singh in The Accidental Prime Minister directed by Vijay Ratnakar Gutte. Hansal Mehta played the character of Naveen Patnaik. In the film, Akshaye Khanna played Sanjay Baru, Suzanne Bernert played Sonia Gandhi, Arjun Mathur played Rahul Gandhi and Aahana Kumra played Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.