Latest news with #AWednesday!
Pink Villa
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
'There's no worse torture...': Naseeruddin Shah recalls his realization that 'no amount of money' was worth agony of tirelessly working
Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah is known for his honesty, and he recently opened up about the toll his hectic work schedule once took on him. Speaking candidly, Shah said, 'There's no worse torture in the world' than juggling three film shoots a day. In a brutally honest reflection, he revealed that there was a time in his career when he took on back-to-back films only for the money, a decision he now views with regret. Shah explained how the constant hopping from one film set to another left him exhausted. 'I was acting in several lovely movies just for money. And I realized no amount of money is worth this agony,' he admitted. According to the actor, the pressure wasn't just about delivering performances, it also involved wasting time in routines that felt pointless. He recalled how much of the day on set was often spent socializing, having breakfast, enjoying the surroundings, and indulging in gossip before actually getting to work. His wife, actor Ratna Pathak Shah, had a different experience. She shared on the Aadyam Theater YouTube podcast that she never had to endure the chaos of managing three shifts a day like her husband. She believed that doing fewer projects allowed her to stay true to her craft. Though she admitted most of her work wasn't of the highest quality, she emphasized that unless she gave her full effort, the result would never feel or sound right. Ratna also expressed that because she took on so few roles, she found it impossible to cut corners. She mentioned that while actors doing four shifts a day might be tempted to rush through roles, she felt a strong responsibility to give her best when a good project came her way after years. At the FICCI Flo Hyderabad summit, Ratna also reflected on her marriage, admitting that Naseeruddin's unwavering focus on his work had once left her feeling overshadowed. However, she had come to terms with it over time. She acknowledged his dedication and generosity, both as an actor and as a director, and appreciated the support he offered to others in bringing out their best performances. Married since 1982, Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak Shah continue to collaborate on stage, demonstrating their shared love for theatre, even if their professional approaches differ. Naseeruddin Shah has delivered powerful performances in several iconic films across genres. In Masoom (1983), he portrayed a father grappling with guilt and responsibility, while Sparsh (1980) showcased his sensitive portrayal of a visually impaired principal. He brought depth to A Wednesday! (2008) as a mysterious vigilante and delivered a chilling performance in Nishant (1975), a landmark parallel cinema film. His roles in Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983), Iqbal (2005), Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyun Aata Hai (1980), and Pestonjee (1988) further reflect his range, making him one of Indian cinema's most respected and versatile actors.
Hindustan Times
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Naseeruddin Shah recalls doing movies just for money, working three shifts a day: ‘There's no worse torture in world'
Bollywood actor Naseeruddin Shah, known for his films like Bazaar, Aakrosh, Sparsh, A Wednesday! and more, recalled in an interview with Aadyam Theatre how he once took on certain films purely for financial reasons. He described working three shifts a day as "torture". (Also Read: Naseeruddin Shah 'could hardly hold back tears' as he attended Manthan screening at Cannes almost 50 years after release) The actor revealed that his technique does not differ when acting in front of the camera versus on stage. When asked if he had ever done four shifts a day, Naseeruddin said, "I've done three shifts a day, and there's no worse torture in the world. There was a time when I was acting in several films just for the money. And I realised no amount of money is worth this agony — jumping from one set to another. Half the time, you're just socialising on set. You arrive for a 9 am shift, then spend another hour or so having breakfast, enjoying the scenery, and gossiping. I know someone who'd love that," he added, pointing towards Ratna. Ratna spoke about putting equal effort into all her work, even if the quality varied, and said, "I've done very little work that is of high quality. Most of my work has been on television, so that's not the kind of quality we refer to when we talk about great art. But I've realised that if I don't give it my all — if I don't apply the same skills I use while doing theatre — then it neither sounds nor looks right." Naseeruddin Shah was last seen in the film Fateh. Sonu Sood's directorial debut also starred Jacqueline Fernandez, Vijay Raaz, and Dibyendu Bhattacharya in key roles. Released in February, the film follows the story of Fateh, an ex-agent who comes out of his peaceful life to dismantle a cyber mafia syndicate after a local girl becomes a victim and goes missing. Fateh received mixed reviews from both audiences and critics, and failed to make a significant impact at the box office, earning only ₹19.06 crore worldwide.
