One of Indian cinema’s most iconic and versatile actors, Naseeruddin Shah, celebrates his 75th birthday today. With a career spanning over five decades, Shah has left an indelible mark on theatre, parallel cinema, and mainstream Bollywood continuing to inspire generations with his unmatched craft and unapologetic honesty.
What does this birthday mean to you?
Each birthday now mainly means the tolling of the bell! I was shooting in the day and in the evening my children and a few close friends gathered to celebrate while I sat around as sober as a judge and watched indulgently!
What are your childhood recollections of your birthday? Cakes, balloons, songs???
In childhood we never celebrated our birthdays as we’d be in school, at the most a card and an extra rupee for pocket money would arrive from home. We never celebrated our birthdays because we were in boarding school. So a card from home would arrive.
Sir, we are living through uncertain times. As the future remains uncertain, what are your thoughts on mortality and immortality through one’s art?
Thoughts of mortality have been in my head since I turned 50. Each new decade introduces one to newer bodily frailties. And I want to get more work done before my time is up. The thought of death doesn’t scare me but the possibility of becoming an invalid does.
You are without doubt one of the 5 greatest actors of Indian cinema, which are your favourite performances? Mine are Sparsh, Albert Pinto, Masoom, Paar and Pestonjee. I don’t like Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron at all.
George Bernard Shaw, when asked to name the three greatest writers of all time, began his answer with “The other two are….”!!! Not saying that, though my favourites are Nishant, Sparsh, Masoom, Mandi and Bombay Boys.
When do we see you again in a solid author-backed part?
Probably never! However, I’ve had more than my share of great parts and am perfectly happy now to participate in projects which I enjoy doing.
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Theatre has always been more fascinating to you than cinema? Why? And are you looking at another play soon?
Theatre, like a tree, is a living thing which continues to organically evolve, unlike films where once it’s done, it’s done. Also, in theatre one can engage with the greatest texts in the world, whereas in our cinema we have to mostly make do with the work of hacks and plagiarists.
At this juncture of your life, what matters the most to you?
A relaxed, peaceful life with my family and maybe some creative attempts.
When did you actually know you wanted to be an actor?
I was certain about it by the time I was 14.
I know you are not proud of all your films. Which is the one film of yours that makes you cringe the most, and why?
Ketan Mehta’s Hero Hiralal, because it had terrific possibilities.
You are one of the most outspoken actors of our country. Have you ever regretted speaking out the truth?
NO. Maybe one thing I do regret doing is writing a critical article on Dilip Sahab so soon after his death. I should have done that analysis of his work a bit later, when everyone’s grief had subsided.
Nowadays we don’t see much of you on screen. Why are not roles being written for you the way they are for Mr. Bachchan?
Because I’m not Mr. B!
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