Madhya Pradesh Minister Vijay Shah's controversial remarks about Indian Army Colonel Sofia Qureshi have sparked a nationwide uproar. The minister's statement, made while Colonel Qureshi was briefing on Operation Sindur, has gone viral on social media.
Entertainment: Madhya Pradesh Minister Vijay Shah is once again embroiled in controversy. This time, his comments about Indian Army Colonel Sofia Qureshi have not only ignited a social media firestorm but have also drawn sharp reactions from political circles. His statement has become a major topic of discussion. The minister's remarks about Colonel Qureshi, who was briefing on Operation Sindur, are considered insensitive and offensive. People across the country are demanding action against him.
This is not the first time Vijay Shah has found himself in the headlines for such actions. In 2021, he was embroiled in controversy after halting the shooting of Vidya Balan's film, Sherni, in Madhya Pradesh. Reports suggest Minister Shah interfered with the film's shooting due to personal grievances and political influence, causing significant losses to the film unit. The intervention forced a halt to the shooting, creating difficulties for the production team.
Now, with Vijay Shah's offensive remarks about a female army officer, this four-year-old incident has resurfaced. Social media users are calling it an example of misuse of power, while the opposition has launched an attack. Several leaders have publicly demanded the minister's removal. It remains to be seen what stance the state government will take on this escalating controversy.
Halting the Shooting of Sherni
Madhya Pradesh Minister Vijay Shah is once again facing controversy. Recent offensive remarks about army officer Colonel Sofia Qureshi have brought an older incident back into the spotlight. This incident dates back to 2020 when Vijay Shah, then the Forest Minister in Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's cabinet, was present while Vidya Balan was shooting her film Sherni in the Balaghat forests.
According to media reports, during the shoot, the District Forest Officer restricted the production team's vehicles, allowing only two to enter the forest. Suddenly, Minister Vijay Shah ordered the shooting to be stopped. The reason shocked everyone. Reports claim Minister Shah took this action because Vidya Balan had declined his dinner invitation.
This alleged resentment not only caused difficulties for the film unit but also temporarily halted the shooting. The matter garnered attention at the time, but now, following the comments about Colonel Qureshi, this old controversy has gone viral on social media. While the opposition is demanding the minister's resignation, the public views his behavior as an example of the arrogance of power.
Vijay Shah's Clarification
Regarding the 2020 controversy surrounding the shooting of Vidya Balan's film Sherni, then Madhya Pradesh Forest Minister Vijay Shah offered a clarification. He was accused of halting the film's shoot because the actress had declined a dinner invitation. However, Vijay Shah completely denied these claims, calling them false and misleading.
Speaking to the media, Vijay Shah stated, "I was in Balaghat for those who had sought permission for the shoot. They invited me for dinner, but I politely declined." He further stated that he had nothing to do with stopping the shoot and that the matter had been unnecessarily blown out of proportion.
Regarding the film Sherni, it was released directly on Amazon Prime Video in June 2021. The film received considerable appreciation from audiences and critics. Vidya Balan played an honest forest officer on a mission to capture a man-eating tigress. The film's story, direction, and social message were widely praised.
