Let’s hand it to Sahir Lodhi for being brave enough to lambast, in a video message, film critics for being class-conscious. However, he should realise that critics all over the world are supposed to be brutally honest about films.

In his own words, it is your kaam (work) that speaks for you, and if business reports are anything to go by, his film Raasta has bombed at the box office. Ranting and raving may get you attention on social media, but when it comes to the success or failure of a movie, it is the box office that talks, and should talk.

Take, for example, Shah Rukh Khan who openly admits that before Raees, he hadn’t had a string of mega successes. Probably SRK’s example is not right in this context, so let’s just reiterate that the only raasta Sahir should take in showbiz is of peace and friendship.

Published in Dawn, ICON, April 16th, 2017