One of India's greatest actors on screen and stage turns 60 today. Many happy returns of the day, Mr. Naseeruddin Shah, thank you for all the wonderful characters you've brought alive over the years and here's to many more challenging roles in the future.
9 comments:
Most famous film? Maybe I can Netflix it.
For English audiences that would be Monsoon Wedding. There's also the rather less successful League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, in which he plays Captain Nemo.
your choice of his top 3/5 performances?
I'd have to go back and see lots of his films one after the other to make that assessment, Satish. Let me think about it for a day or two. Meanwhile, would you like to offer your own choice?
Oh, right--Monsoon Wedding is why he looks familiar. And unfortunately, I have seen League of Extraordinary Gentlemen as well.
1. Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyon Aata Hai
2. Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron
3. Pestonjee
4. Masoom
5. Katha
It's impossible for a fan like me to pick just five favourites! There's also Jalwa, Bhavni Bhavai, Mohan Joshi, Manthan, Mirch Masala, Ishqiya... though definitely NOT 'A Wednesday'. I hated that film.
He was the only good thing about A Wednesday. I expected a great tussle between two fine actors, but Anupam Kher wasn't given much play, and Naseeruddin Shah stole the show. He did that in Pestonjee as well, come to think of it.
I thought his Ishqiya role was much more ordinary, in fact Arshad Warsi came off better.
I'd personally add to the list his great cameos in Govind Nihalani films, particularly Ardh Satya and Drohkaal. It's interesting that you've chosen three light comic roles rather than the more intense performances like Sparsh and Paar.
The Theatre Unit and Motley plays I saw as a kid made a big impact: Godot, Don Juan in Hell, Village Wooing, Bali and the like.
I like Naseerbhai in mandi :)
I love all his movies. I first saw him in "monsoon wedding". Wonderful actor.
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