Born in 1950 and educated at the National School of Drama in Delhi, Naseeruddin Shah is now one of the icons of New Indian Cinema along with Smita Patil, Shabana Azmi and Om Puri; indeed, he is arguably one of the finest actors in the world today, though the nature of world culture is such that the most mediocre American actors are more widely known around the world. Though his use of hesitant speech and casual gesture to signify psychological complexity sets him apart from mainstream actors, he has gained a fair amount of success in commercial cinema too.
Like many of the other actors of his genre, Naseeruddin Shah was first noticed by Shyam Benegal. He acted in Benegal’s Nishant (1975), Manthan and Bhumika (1976). One of his most intense performances was given in Saeed Mirza’s Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyon Aata Hai (“What makes Albert Pinto angry'”, 1980). In the movie, he plays a garage mechanic from Goa who dreams of the expensive cars that he repairs but that are far beyond his reach. The film is set in a Catholic setting, primarily because Mirza did not have the courage to tackle Muslim issues. Naseeruddin Shah has also acted for other New Indian Cinema directors including Mrinal Sen (Khandan, 1983) and Sai Paranjpye (Sparsh, 1979). Besides these “serious” roles, he has a penchant for comedy.
His roles in Ketan Mehta’s films and also in films like Mandi, Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron, and Mohan Joshi Hazir Ho! (1983), have endeared him to the Indian public. He has also not shied away from accepting roles in mainstream Hindi movies where he has played a variety of characters, though his slight frame has ensured that he is most often cast in a comic role. However, directors also utilize his great acting talent when a “character role” has to be played. What is surely most arresting about him is the sheer versatility of his talent. Naseeruddin Shah has also played and directed English and Hindi plays. This is not unimportant, since many of the most brilliant film actors came to the cinema after a long stint as theater actors. With his wife Ratna Pathak, Naseeruddin Shah continues to act regularly in plays, often at Shashi Kapoor’s Prithvi Theatre.
Awards Received By Naseeruddin Shah
- Civilian Awards
- 1987 Padma Shri India’s fourth highest civilian award Awarded
- 2003 Padma Bhushan India’s third highest civilian award Awarded
- National Film Award
- 1979 National Film Award for Best Actor Sparsh Won
- 1984 National Film Award for Best Actor Paar Won
- 2006 National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor Iqbal Won
- Filmfare Award
- 1980 Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award Junoon Nominated
- 1981 Filmfare Best Actor Award Aakrosh Won
- 1982 Filmfare Best Actor Award Chakra Won
- 1983 Filmfare Best Actor Award Bazaar Nominated
- 1984 Filmfare Best Actor Award Masoom Won
- 1984 Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award Katha Nominated
- 1984 Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award Mandi Nominated
- 1985 Filmfare Best Actor Award Sparsh Nominated
- 1994 Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award Sir Nominated
- 1995 Filmfare Best Villain Award Mohra Nominated
- 1996 Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award Naajayaz Nominated
- 1997 Filmfare Best Villain Award Chaahat Nominated
- 1999 Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award China Gate Nominated
- 2000 Filmfare Best Villain Award Sarfarosh Nominated
- 2006 Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award Iqbal Nominated
- 2007 Filmfare Best Villain Award Krrish Nominated
- 2008 Filmfare Best Actor Award A Wednesday! Nominated
- 2012 Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award The Dirty Picture
Films Done By Naseeruddin Shah
- 1967 Aman Uncredited (Boy behind the Dead Doctor) Hindi
- 1972 Aan Baan Uncredited (Mourner In Funeral) Hindi
- 1975 Nishant Vishwam Shyam Benegal Hindi
- 1976 Manthan Bhola Shyam Benegal Hindi
- 1977 Bhumika Sunil Verma Shyam Benegal Hindi
- 1977 Tabbaliyu Neenade Magane Shastri Girish Karnad Kannada
- 1977 Godhuli Priest B. V. Karanth Hindi
- 1978 Junoon Sarfaraz Khan Shyam Benegal Hindi
- 1978 Hungama Bombay Ishtyle Raju Siraj Ayesha Sayani Hindi
- 1979 Sparsh Aniruddh Parmar Hindi
- 1979 Sunayana No Name Hindi
- 1980 Aakrosh Bhaskar Kulkarni Hindi
- 1980 Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai Albert Pinto Hindi
- 1980 Bhavni Bhavai King Chakrasen Gujarati
- 1980 Hum Paanch Suraj Hindi
- 1980 Khwab Gopal ‘Gopi’ Mathur Hindi
- 1981 Chakra Lukka Hindi
- 1981 Sazaye Maut Uday Jagirdar / Omkar Puri Hindi
- 1981 Tajurba Hindi
- 1981 Umrao Jaan Gohar Mirza Hindi
- 1982 Bazaar Salim Hindi
- 1982 Situm Subhash Hindi
- 1982 Dil…Akhir Dil Hai Hindi
- 1982 Naseeb Ni Balihari Gujarati
- 1983 Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro Vinod Chopra Hindi
- 1983 Katha Rajaram Purshottam Joshi Hindi
- 1983 Masoom D.K. Malhotra Hindi
- 1983 Mandi Tungrus Hindi
- 1983 Protidan Prabhat Roy Bengali
- 1983 Woh Saat Din Dr. Anand Hindi
- 1983 Ardh Satya Mike Lobo Hindi
- 1984 Paar Naurangia Hindi
- 1984 Mohan Joshi Hazir Ho! Advocate Malkani Hindi
- 1984 Holi Professor Singh Hindi
- 1984 Khandhar Subhash Hindi
- 1985 Ghulami SP Sultan Singh Hindi
- 1985 Trikaal Ruiz Pereira Hindi
- 1985 Mirch Masala Subedar Hindi
- 1985 Khamosh Captain Bakshi Hindi
- 1986 Karma Khairuddin Chishti Hindi
- 1986 Genesis Hindi
- 1986 Musafir Hindi
- 1987 Jalwa Inspector Kapil Hindi
- 1987 Yeh Woh Manzil To Nahin Trivedi Hindi
- 1987 Ijaazat Mahender Hindi
- 1988 Hero Hiralal Hero Hiralal Hindi
- 1988 Maalamaal Raj Hindi
- 1988 Pestonjee Phirojshah Hindi
- 1988 The Perfect Murder Inspector Ghote English
- 1989 Tridev Jay Singh Hindi
- 1989 Mane (The House) Rajshekar Kannada
- 1990 Police Public ,Shikari Sr. Inspector Mahar Singh Gadhwal Hindi
- 1991 Ek Ghar Hindi
- 1991 Lakshmanrekha Amar Kapoor Hindi
- 1992 Vishwatma Suryapratap Singh Hindi
- 1992 Chamatkar Amar Kumar (Marco) Hindi
- 1992 Panaah Devaa Hindi
- 1992 Hasti Vishal Hindi
- 1992 Tahalka Captain Ranvir Hindi
- 1993 Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa Father Breganza Hindi
- 1993 Sir,Lootere Professor Amar Verma Hindi
- 1994 Ponthan Mada Sheema Thampuran Malayalam
- 1994 Mohra Mr. Jindal Hindi
- 1994 Drohkaal DCP Abbas Lodhi Hindi
- 1995 Naajayaz Raj Solanki Hindi
- 1995 Takkar Inspector De Costa Hindi
- 1996 Himmat Hindi
- 1996 Chaahat Ajay Narang Hindi
- 1997 Bombay Boys Mastana Hindi
- 1997 Daava Bhishma Hindi
- 1998 Chinagate Major Sarfaraz Khan Hindi
- 1998 Such a Long Journey Jimmy Bilimoria English, Hindi
- 1998 Dandnayak
- 1999 Sarfarosh Gulfaam Hasan Hindi
- 1999 Bhopal Express Bashir Hindi
- 1999 Kabhi Pass Kabhi Fail Hindi
- 2000 Hey Ram Mahatma Gandhi Hindi-Tamil (Bilingual film)
- 2001 Kasam (2001 film) Mangal Singh Hindi
- 2001 Monsoon Wedding Lalit Verma Hindi
- 2002 Encounter: The Killing Inspector Bharucha Hindi
- 2003 The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Captain Nemo English
- 2003 Maqbool Inspector Purohit Hindi
- 2004 Asambhav Sameer “Sam” Hans Hindi
- 2004 3 Deewarein Ishaan Hindi
- 2004 Main Hoon Na Brig. Shekhar Sharma Hindi
- 2005 Paheli Himself Hindi
- 2005 Iqbal Mohit Hindi
- 2005 The Great New Wonderful Avi English
- 2006 Being Cyrus Dinshaw Sethna Hindi
- 2006 Krrish Dr. Siddhant Arya Hindi
- 2006 Omkara Bhaisaab Hindi
- 2006 Shoonya Old man Hindi
- 2006 Yun Hota To Kya Hota Narrator Hindi
- 2006 Banaras Babaji Hindi
- 2006 Valley of Flowers Yeti French, German, Hindi
- 2007 Parzania Cyrus Hindi
- 2007 Amal G.K. Jayaram Hindi
- 2007 Khuda Ke Liye Maulana Wali Urdu
- 2007 Dus Kahaniyaan (Anthology film) story Rice Plate Hindi
- 2008 Mithya Hindi
- 2008 Shoot on Sight Tariq Ali Hindi
- 2008 Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na Amar Singh Rathore Hindi
- 2008 A Wednesday! A Common Man Hindi
- 2008 Maharathi Jaisingh Adenwalla Hindi
- 2008 Mere Baap Pehle Aap Nirmal Kapoor (Shikha’s father) Hindi
- 2008 Bombay to Bangkok Khan Hindi
- 2009 Barah Aana Shukla Hindi
- 2009 Firaaq Khan Sahab Hindi
- 2009 Today’s Special Akbar English
- 2009 Bolo Raam N.S. Negi Hindi
- 2010 Peepli Live Salim Kidwai Hindi
- 2010 Ishqiya Iftikhar Hindi
- 2010 Raajneeti Bhaskar Sanyal Hindi
- 2010 Allah Ke Banday Warden Hindi
- 2011 7 Khoon Maaf Dr. Modhusudhon Tarafdar Hindi
- 2011 That Girl in Yellow Boots Diwakar Hindi
- 2011 The Blueberry Hunt Colonel Hindi
- 2011 Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara Salman Habib Hindi
- 2011 The Dirty Picture Suryakanth Hindi
- 2011 Deool Dacoit Marathi
- 2011 Chaalis Chauraasi Pankaj Purushottam Suri (Sir) Hindi
- 2011 Michael Michael Hindi
- 2011 Chargesheet The Boss Hindi
- 2012 Maximum Police Officer Hindi
- 2013 Sona Spa Baba Dayanand Hindi
- 2013 Jackpot Boss Hindi
- 2013 Khasi Katha– A Goat Saga Butcher Bengali
- 2013 Siddharth Jisa Hindi
- 2013 Mastaan Hindi
- 2013 Amma 3D Hindi, Tamil, Telugu
- 2013 Zinda Bhaag Pehlwan Punjabi
- 2013 John Day John Day Hindi
- 2013 The Coffin Maker Anton Gomes Indo-American
- 2013 Krrish 3 Dr. Siddhant Arya (cameo) Hindi
- 2013 Sunglass / Taak Jhaank Bengali/Hindi
- 2014 Nalupu Rani Rawat Singh Telugu
- 2014 Dedh Ishqiya Iftekhar (Khalu Jaan) Hindi
- 2014 Finding Fanny Ferdie Hindi
- 2014 Khasi Katha Butcher Bengali
- 2014 Dil Bhi Khaali Jeb Bhi Khaali Hindi
- 2015 Dirty Politics Hindi
- 2015 Dharam Sankat Mein Neel Anand Baba Hindi
- 2015 Welcome Back Wanted Bhai Hindi
- 2015 Charlie Kay Chakkar Mein Hindi
- 2015 Waiting Prof. Shiv Kumar Hindi
- 2016 Bankster Babbar Hindi
- 2016 Teraa Surroor Robin “Bird” Dharamraj Santino Hindi
- 2016 The Blueberry Hunt Hindi
- 2016 Mango Dreams English
- 2016 Jeewan Hathi Urdu
- 2016 Gardaab Urdu
- 2017 OK Jaanu Gopi Shrivastava Hindi
- 2017 Irada Parabjeet Walia Hindi
- 2017 Begum Jaan Rajaji Hindi
- 2017 The Hungry Tathagat Ahuja Hindi
- 2017 Dhh Magician Surya Samrat Gujarati
- 2018 Aiyaary Baburao Shastri Hindi
- 2018 Hope Aur Hum Nagesh Srivastava Hindi
- 2019 The Tashkent Files PKR Natrajan Hindi
- 2019 Ramprasad Ki Tehrvi Babuji Hindi
- 2020 Mee Raqsam Hashim Seth