Rachana Dubey (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 6, 2014)

After four years, Naseeruddin Shah’s autobiography is finally complete. Titled And Then One Day…, the memoir will be released in September to celebrate the veteran actor’s 40-year-run in the film industry.  

 “It wasn’t easy to put it together. Without hurting anyone’s sentiments, I’ve documented almost everything I had to say about myself,” says the actor, who reconnected with relatives he hadn’t spoken to in years and is happy with the final draft. There are some rare pictures which encapsulate the first 32 years of his life. “I dug out pictures of my brothers, uncles, aunts, cousins, extended family, people who influenced me through school, college and at the FTII, friends, well-wishers and professional associates,” he says triumphantly.

 Running into nearly 1,00,000 words, and spread over approximately 400 pages, the book ends with him and Ratna Pathak, his wife of three decades tying the knot. It talks about his first marriage, daughter Heeba, his professional ups and downs and details about how he wooed and wed Ratna.

 The rest of his life will be recounted in the second part of the memoir which is already underway. “I don’t know when that will release,” admits Naseer, who will be in London for most of this month for a play. “I hope people find the book interesting. I have made it as honest as possible.”