Naseeruddin Shah turns 70 today! With three National Awards, a Padma Shri, a Padma Bhushan to his credit, and a string of memorable roles, Shah is ceaseless in his attempts to keep impressing us with his captivating performances.
Although limiting the list of magnificent performances by the ever-versatile Shah is rather difficult for us, here’s looking at 10 of the best performances from his illustrious career that we have loved him in:
Masoom (1983)
Naseeruddin Shah plays the role of a loving husband and a caring father in Masoom. The film stars Shabana Azmi and Naseer as a happily married couple with two adorable daughters. Soon, an affair from his past catches up and in its wake leaves in his custody a son. Naseer won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor for this role.
Sarfarosh (1999)
In Sarfarosh, Shah plays a singer who is actually also a spy. Although a villain, he displays sensitivity and invokes sympathy. Shah received much appreciation for his performance alongside Aamir Khan and Sonali Bendre.
A Wednesday! (2008)
Naseeruddin Shah’s character in A Wednesday! is a confluence of good and evil. Frustrated by delayed and denied justice, ‘The Common Man’ (Naseer), takes law in his own hands. The story is narrated by a retired police commissioner (Anupam Kher).
Ishqiya and Dedh Ishqiya (2010 and 2014)
Naseeruddin Shah plays Khalujan in the Ishqiya series. He and his nephew (Arshad Warsi) are runaway goons with slippery hearts often seduced by the women they’re trying to help. Shah and Warsi have acted with Vidya Balan in Ishqiya and Madhuri Dixit and Huma Qureshi in Dedh Ishqiya.
Sparsh (1980)
The 1980 film which won Naseeruddin Shah the National Award for Best Actor, saw him playing the role of a visually-impaired man. Sparsh is the story of love between two aloof individuals – Naseer and a widow (Shabana Azmi).
3 Deewarein (2003)
Naseer plays a happy-go-lucky prisoner in 3 Deewarein. The film is about three prisoners Jackie Shroff, Nagesh Kukunoor, and Shah on a death row on counts of murder. Behind the bars, they help Juhi Chawla seek redemption from her troubled marriage.
Khuda Kay Liye (2007)
Naseer appears in Khuda Kay Liye for a brief but significant role. Shah’s role as a Maulana who redefines the meaning and beauty of Islam was much lauded. His role was a very important point in the film which also stars Fawad Khan.
The Coffin Maker (2013)
Featured along with his real-life wife Ratna Pathak Shah, Naseer plays the role of a carpenter who makes coffins for a living. Shah’s Anton Gomes realises the meaning of life when death comes knocking at his door. The film also stars Randeep Hooda and Anand Tiwari.
Interior Cafe Night (2014)
Interior Cafe Night is a short film about love, loss, and reunion. The film parallels between the present and past of two old sweethearts. The story takes the viewer from the brim of emotions to a pacified future. Naseeruddin Shah’s acting with the right amount of restraint is par excellence.
These were our top 10 picks! But, it does not do justice to Naseeruddin Shah. Don’t we all want some more? Here’s a few more for those of you who can’t get enough, just like us:
Aakrosh (2010)
Tridev (1989)
Mohra (1994)
Paar (1984)
Jalwa (1987)
Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron (1983)
Nishant (1975)
Monsoon Wedding (2001)
Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata hai (1980)
Chamatkar (1992)
Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa (1994)
Omkara (2006)
The Dirty Picture (2011)
Iqbal (2005)
We wish Naseeruddin Shah a splendid 70th Birthday!
(Contributed By Deblina Munshi)