Naseeruddin Shah on his children, biopics, awards, friends, films and more...
Rukmini Chopra (DNA; October 8, 2014)


Your name is associated with arthouse films. Why choose to be part of the out-and-out commercial film, Welcome Back?
I find this question very amusing. I have done films like Mujhe Meri Biwi Se Bachao, Tehelka, Zinda Jala Doonga. I have worked with great directors like Anil Sharma, then why are people surprised? A few people tell me, that they liked my art films and ask me why am I doing commercial films. I take names of a few art films and ask them if they have seen them. They say, no we haven’t. I guess I am doing something wrong (laughs).

You play Shiney Ahuja’s father in the film. How was it working with him, given the controversy?
Well, I certainly felt sad for him, for what he went through. I don’t know how much truth there is to it all, but I like Shiney and it is sad, because he is a good actor. I had seen him in an ad the first time, and the minute I saw him in the ad, I knew he had it. I like him and it was good working with him.

You said that you found Bhaag Milkha Bhaag a fake film...
Didn’t you find it fake? Why was there so much hype about it? Just take a look at Milkha Sigh’s Olympics picture from 1960, then look at Farhan Akhtar.

Shabana Azmi said that you are entitled to your opinion, but that most Indians don’t agree with you...
Let them not agree with me, I don’t care. If Shabana got goosebumps after watching Farhan, good. Because I didn’t. I never criticised Farhan’s performance because he gave it his all. I criticised the guidance he got for his role. They made him look like Rocky, not Milkha Singh.

Does your statement spoil your relationship with Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi?
I don’t see why it should. If they criticise my work, it doesn’t mean I would stop talking to them. Aur waise bhi, meri koi khaas dosti nahin hai Shabana se ya Javed se. I consider them associates, not friends.

If at all there is a biopic being made on your life, would you be okay with it?
I would be okay with it if a director of my liking is making it. Someone who I consider capable of doing a good job with the film, is Shekhar Kapur. I wouldn’t let just anybody make a film on my life.

Vivaan is doing Happy New Year with Farah Khan...
(Laughs) Yes, I wish him all the best. I am happy he is doing a film with Farah. I have always liked Farah’s movies. I thought Om Shanti Om was a fantastic film. What I like about Farah is her unashamed love for commercial cinema. She enjoys making her films.

So did you give Vivaan any advice?
No, I didn’t advise Vivaan on anything. I left it on Shah Rukh Khan. I told him, that whatever advice he needs, he can go to Shah Rukh for it (laughs) as he is the best person to give advice, especially on acting in commercial films, as I don’t understand it.

Vivaan said in an interview that he is intimidated by you, and that bothers you since you would like people to be more free with you...
Yes, it does bother me. Even with my children, there’s always a little bit of distance and I don’t know why. People in the industry tell me that my kids are frightened of me. I’m still working at the kind of friendship I wanted to have with my kids.

You were very close to actors Ravi Baswani and Farooq Sheikh. Their death must have been a major blow to you.
They were both great friends. But if one doesn’t take care of his health, the same is bound to happen. I was extremely shocked by their deaths. But death is a part of life.

What steps do you take to maintain your health?
I do yoga on a daily basis. I go for a swim too. I’m a fan of horse-riding but can’t do it much because of my back.

Do you believe in the Oscar nomination process held in our industry?
No, I don’t. I don’t even understand why they run behind Oscars. They are as worthless as any other Pan Parag award.

For that matter, do you feel the same about National Awards as well?
There is lobbying in them. The people who decide these awards are out-of-work filmmakers. I don’t care one bit for these awards.