One Actor, One Audience

While others wait for a big-time opportunity to knock on their doors, He was an actor with no say in the Indian Film Industry and worked with completely new entrants like him, only to be loved by one and all. If it's not for his talent, then what it is?

Naseeruddin Shah. Illustrated by Anupama: Visual Storyteller at ThisDay

Well, clearly there's more to this man.

He is someone always looking forward to his time and acting as a first-rate improviser and is an ideal example of the current generation to present art in a more indispensable manner while conveying their love for stories that individually connect with the audience. Born on this day, was a man who changed the pattern and style of Indian movies produced after the '70s. He was no other than the master himself, Naseeruddin Shah.

He was aware of the long and overtly hard journey coming his way, and yet, he was always prepared to catch as many lemons that life throws. He knew that 'to give up' will never be the end of his biography and took every character with the utmost diligence and passion to give his best. He learned to cope with challenges by planting lemons in a tree and doing the right thing.

The veteran actor, Naseeruddin Shah, originally belongs to a Pashtun family in Uttar Pradesh and is married to Ratna Pathak, who herself is quite famous in the industry. Decades ago, when he entered the industry he had nothing but his talent and love for films, to offer. Trained at the National School of Drama, he was in the theaters with all the stage performances and shows, alongside.

Shah's debut in Bollywood came with a small role in the film Aman (1967) alongside the infamous, Rajendra Kumar and Saira Banu. But for a long time, he remained invested in theatre groups and performances and, did small roles to survive the battle.

During his young years, Shah had a tough time in the industry that even reduced him to the days when buying his daily bread was a luxury. But just like a human is known by their experiences, he walked the rough path, learned and implemented it in all his wits' end. He worshiped the art bestowed on him, worked hard day and night, and rather, felt every offer of a small or big role as a "godlike". And could finally mark his presence in Bollywood with the film Hum Panch in 1980.

He then played many remarkable roles in movies like Nishant, Ghulami, Tridev, Vishwatma, Aakrosh, Sparsh, Mirch Masala, Junoon, Mandi, Ardh Satya, Katha, Dil Aakhir Dil Hai, Masoom, Jaane Bhi Do Yaar, and many more. On average, he has acted in over a hundred films to date, including major television shows and appearances on regional and international platforms.

However, by the 1970s, a major shift was witnessed in Bollywood with stories moving from a mainstream commercial type to developing serious and symbolic content, which is claimed as Parallel Cinema. It sets the right example that the times were changing and so was Shah as he accepted the change wholeheartedly. Many new faces entered the ground, with no major experience whatsoever, but he always remained optimistic to work and learn. He craved storylines and happily worked with them to hold a notable contribution in Parallel Cinema.

His contribution to Indian Cinema has also been recognized at the national level with India's Highest Civilian Award - Padma Bhushan and Padma Shree.

Over these many years, Shah is known to have always worked with all the new players on the field. Be it actors, directors, or producers, he embraces new talent and what excites him to remain in the industry is the script with a great storyline. He still contributes to some of the reputed theater troops with advanced bookings, running from New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore to Lahore. Thus, even today, the consistency and passion to follow his art go hand in hand with the work ethic in which he lived over time.

And if all this wasn't enough, he is also keeping up with the new age OTT platforms and short films quite perfectly. It is apparent that accepting change is the only way of living, but to learn this, he is a living example for many generations to come.

The one who has seen it all, with a smile; Image Source: Hindustan Times