I rarely mince words: Naseeruddin Shah on his autobiography 'And Then One Day'

How forthright have you been with your autobiography? 

I’ve been as forthright as needed. I didn’t want And Then One Day to be voyeuristic and sensational. While there was no agenda to pull out skeletons from people’s cupboards I may have ruffled a few feathers here and there. I rarely mince words. Here too I didn’t feel the need to. Those looking for scandal could be disappointed though, I’m afraid.

Most people give themselves a larger-than-life persona while writing autobiographies. With your book you don’t. How tough/easy was it baring yourself to the world?

I wanted the book to read like a real story of a real person. Once that was decided I was clear about what and how much I was going to say. I only didn't want it be a frame by frame repetitive explanation of every role, film and frame.

You’ve written about your own resentment on the arrival of your baby Heeba and the eventual parting with your first wife Purveen. Did you struggle with portions like that?

Yes even after writing I did think about this. But I realised that this episode also gave the reader a glimpse into my frailties as a human being and went with it.

You’ve been writing for over a decade but scarcely told people about it. Was that deliberate?

You’re right. I’ve been writing for quite a while. The only reason I didn’t speak about it was because I was unsure I’d ever complete it. So I spoke to people only when it was all wrapped up and ready.  

You’ve said the book was meant for young actors?

Yes. It’ll be great if others like it too. But I wanted to write something which will talk to young actors about the craft without it getting too dry and boring.

You mean young actors like your sons Imaad and Vivaan who you’ve dedicated the book to?

Yes you could say that. But I’ll be surprised if they really got down to reading it. (Laughs)

Why did you choose to limit the autobiography till your marriage with Ratna Pathak?

I found a nice place to end the story and stopped it there. Life has gone on since but I didn’t think there is anything that’d interest the reader too much.  

So there’s no sequel?

I’ve just finished telling the story of one part of my life (Laughs). I think I deserve a break. On a serious note though, there are no plans for a sequel.

Many call you one of the greatest actors of Hindi cinema, yet you wanted to be a cricketer?

People are far too kind. I don’t know if I’ve really done anything to be called that. About cricket I must say I was crazy about it from early childhood. I would lie to my family at home and go to play cricket by making an excuse of extra classes. Who knows what would have happened if I’d pursued cricket as a career? But I’m happy things worked out the way they did.

You said six months ago in Karachi that Bollywood has done nothing noteworthy so far.

Look at our films like Krish or other. When they have the money and resources why don’t they invest in some good writing too. Yes they spend on special effects. Yet can we compare those with something like say an Iron man or a Spiderman? Why haven’t we been able to break out of our comfort zone of formula films and think about storytelling? Our films don’t even measure up to those made in Poland, Brazil and even Iran. Here stars pander to their own egos.

You once said you didn’t want to act in films any longer?

It must’ve been said while doing far too many terrible movies. I’ve made some terrible choices and I’m not ashamed to admit that. But I don’t know what I’d do with myself if not acting. I’ve done walk on parts in films like Deool in Marathi simply because I loved the role. But if only trash is offered I may end up not doing any films.

Is there a film of yours which makes you cringe or wonder about when you look back?

Oh there are several and Vivaan keeps finding more and more of them on the net (Laughs).

And is there a role you’d like to call your best?

I don’t even need to think. It has to be Shyam Benegal’s Nishant which according to me is also his best. Though I know he likes to say its Trikaal. I’ve explained in the book why I call Nishant my best performance.

And Tungrus from Mandi?

Tungrus too was a very different character. When Shyam was explaining the role to me he said, “He's like this sexless worm you know.” But then there are twists when something wakes up in this worm too. I had to think of all the people like him I'd met in real life and draw on them to get him and his mannerisms right. I really thought Tungrus' outburst when Shabana's character Rukmini bai leaves the brothel with all her girls to resettle in a different location was quite nice.

What do you look for when agreeing to a role? Only one thing. Will I enjoy doing this role?

That’s the only thing that works for me. I’ve done nearly 250 films.Over 50 of these have been done free of charge. And out of even those 50 perhaps only five’ll be remembered.

But the man on the street remembers you more for your films like Tridev, Vishwatma and Mohra or the more recent The Dirty Picture than your formidable body of work in parallel cinema? Isn’t that funny?

(Smiles sadly) To think that many of them haven’t and never will see those films.

Your take on the Rs 100 crore club which mocks critics with earnings.

(Laughs) I have no sympathies for the so called critics who need more than mocking. As for these film makers and stars of these 100 crore projects, I'd say, good for them. Finally they are admitting to why they are really making movies. Personally, I think this 'mine’s-bigger-than-yours' competition is vulgar and does nothing for cinema as a medium.

You directed Yun Hota Toh Kya Hota in 2006. When will you return to directing ?

I made far too many mistakes with that one and burnt my fingers. I don’t think I’m ready to direct a full length film so soon. Maybe I will direct a short film though.

What do you make of all the promotional fan fare that accompanies releases like your just latest Finding Fanny?

I think all this promotion crap is a complete waste of time. Promotions can’t make an unsuccessful film successful. Films like Ishqiya, A Wednesday I haven’t promoted were all hits. For A Wednesday we didn’t do a single interview. People are far too smart and make their choices based on their own understanding and logic. I’ve been there as an average cine-goer sitting in the front row cheering my favourite heroes, so I know. Months before Dilip Kumar’s Dil Diya Dard Liya released I knew I will bunk classes and spend Rs 1.40ps to watch it. Whereas even a gun at my head wouldn’t get me to go watch a Bhabhi Ka Insaaf or something like that

Is your love for theatre as a medium greater than cinema?

I have always felt closer to theatre than film. Its a more direct medium and you have to bare your soul to the audience at every single show. I can give up films but I don’t think I can live without theatre. But I like theatre which doesn't too bogged down and heavy. It has to do with only the essential. Some groups try to copy Broadway and claim to be recreating that magic here but frankly we don't have that kind of technical wherewithal.

You keep revisiting writers like Manto and Chugtai through theatre. Does adapting literature help your craft as an actor?

I often wonder why I didn’t discover Manto or Chugtai before. As for going on revisiting them where are the other playwrights? There is such a lack of great original work. Why do you think Nadira Babbar who does such amazing theatre keeps going back to Javed Siddiqui's works? Or why does Ila (Arun) have to keep creating plays of her own? A Manto or a Chugtai can also offer itself to doing so much given how layered and nuanced their works are.

You did Discovery of India and Mirza Ghalib in the late 80s. Many big stars of the big screen are doing TV these days. Don’t you feel like going back to the medium?

Nobody’s approached me with anything half-way decent. I can’t commit to doing a 100-episode show and tie myself up in something which I'll get bored with. Shyam Benegal approached me for Samvidhan but it didn’t work out. First I was tied up, then he got very seriously unwell and later I couldn't find dates. You know, not many remember that I hosted a cricket show called Super Selector on TV. Who would’ve thought that I would be sitting across cricketing greats like Imran Khan, Geoffrey Boycott, Richie Benaud, Kapil Dev and others, hosting a show? I was thrilled to be sitting with these stars who I was a great fan of. I know there are are some people who misguide young actors saying how it will disastrous to do TV. I completely disagree with the view that people who've done TV get slotted and can’t get work on the big screen. Look at Shah Rukh Khan. He's made his beginnings on TV

Do Imaad or Vivaan consult you or their mom for tips? Given our track record with commercial cinema I don’t think they’d want to. 

(Laughs) But I think they should make their own mistakes and learn.

Also Visit: The many moods of Naseeruddin Shah