Criticising the paint smearing attack on ORF chairman Sudheendra Kulkarni, Bollywood celebrities Shabana Azmi, Mahesh Bhatt among others, called it a shameful incident for a democratic country like India.

Shiv Sena activists today smeared black paint on the chairman of think tank Observer Research Foundation for refusing to cancel former Pakistan foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri's book launch in Mumbai.

Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt said the attack makes one wonder about India's democratic status. "The attack on Sudheendra Kulkarni ridicules our constitution, shames our police, & debunks our claims to be a democracy," Bhatt posted on twitter. A "deeply saddened" Shabana Azmi said she has been trying to reach Shiv Sena's Uddhav and Aditya Thackeray, but they haven't responded to anay of her calls.

"Deeply saddened by Shiv Senas attack on Sudheendra Kulkarni. Wish to talk to @uddhavthackeray and @AUThackeray but neither is talking my calls," the veteran actress wrote.


"In person @uddhavthackeray is a gentle person and @AUThackerays young friends tell me he is different. Pleas lets sit across the table and TALK."

"Dear Shiv Sena, Throwing paint on Sudheerna Kulkarni doesn't make you patriotic. If you remotely care, help fight our biggest enemy- poverty," singer Sona Mohapatra posted.

Actor Rishi Kapoor tweeted, "Excuse me! This is ridiculous and unpardonable. And to address a media conference in this manner? Politics!"