Naseeruddin Shah
Naseeruddin Shah: The Man Who Made Acting an Artform
Naseeruddin Shah brings rare perspective and grace to every talk, inspiring audiences to think, feel, and grow.
Maahi Vijay
IT SectorWatch Naseeruddin Shah Deliver Impactful Motivational Sessions
mumbai
english, hindi
10+ years
About Naseeruddin Shah
Naseeruddin Shah is not an actor; he is an institution, a man whose craft has shaped generations of Indian cinema, theatre, and thought; he has lived more lives than most people ever dream about as a performer, teacher, critic, and unflinching observer of truth over five decades.
Born in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, the journey of Naseeruddin into acting began long before fame ever found him. It started with curiosity-a need to understand human emotion in all its quiet, unspoken forms. When the rest of the industry was chasing glamour, he was chasing truth. That is what made him different. That's what made him timeless.
From Aakrosh and Masoom to Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, Iqbal, and A Wednesday, he has turned storytelling into an act of soul performance. Every role that he played, however small or unconventional, was laced with an inner sincerity that became his hallmark.
But beyond the screen, Naseeruddin Shah has been a lifelong student of art. His commitment to theatre through his group Motley Productions keeps the stage alive for reflection and rebellion. He is an outspoken voice on creativity, politics, and freedom-never one to be afraid to question, never one to be afraid to speak.
To listen to him is to enter into a conversation with Indian cinema itself; raw, restless, intelligent, and deeply human.
Naseeruddin Shah is not an actor; he is an institution, a man whose craft has shaped generations of Indian cinema, theatre, and thought; he has lived more lives than most people ever dream about as a performer, teacher, critic, and unflinching observer of truth over five decades.
Born in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, the journey of Naseeruddin into acting began long before fame ever found him. It started with curiosity-a need to understand human emotion in all its quiet, unspoken forms. When the rest of the industry was chasing glamour, he was chasing truth. That is what made him different. That's what made him timeless.
From Aakrosh and Masoom to Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, Iqbal, and A Wednesday, he has turned storytelling into an act of soul performance. Every role that he played, however small or unconventional, was laced with an inner sincerity that became his hallmark.
But beyond the screen, Naseeruddin Shah has been a lifelong student of art. His commitment to theatre through his group Motley Productions keeps the stage alive for reflection and rebellion. He is an outspoken voice on creativity, politics, and freedom-never one to be afraid to question, never one to be afraid to speak.
To listen to him is to enter into a conversation with Indian cinema itself; raw, restless, intelligent, and deeply human.
creativity, authenticity
Enquire Now
Fill out the details and our team will get back to you soon.
Know more about Naseeruddin Shah
National School of Drama & FTII Graduate
Trained at India’s top performing arts institutes – the National School of Drama and Film & Television Institute of India – laying the foundation for his craft.
Debut in Parallel Cinema
Made his feature film debut with Nishant (1975) under Shyam Benegal, becoming one of the defining faces of India’s parallel cinema movement.
Founder of Motley Theatre Group
Co-founded the iconic theatre company Motley Productions with Tom Alter and Benjamin Gilani, reviving serious theatre in India.
International Film Work
Featured in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003) alongside Sean Connery, showcasing Indian talent on a global platform.
Five-Decade Career
Over 50 years of acting experience across films, theatre, and television, with more than 100 feature films to his name.
Filmfare Awards – Best Actor
Bagged multiple Filmfare Awards for Aakrosh (1981), Chakra (1982), and Masoom (1984).
Volpi Cup for Best Actor
Received at the Venice Film Festival for his performance in Paar — a rare international honour for an Indian actor.
Padma Shri
Honoured by the Government of India for his contribution to Indian cinema and performing arts.
Padma Bhushan
Conferred with India’s third-highest civilian award for decades of excellence and service to the arts.
National School of Drama & FTII Graduate
Trained at India’s top performing arts institutes – the National School of Drama and Film & Television Institute of India – laying the foundation for his craft.
Debut in Parallel Cinema
Made his feature film debut with Nishant (1975) under Shyam Benegal, becoming one of the defining faces of India’s parallel cinema movement.
Founder of Motley Theatre Group
Co-founded the iconic theatre company Motley Productions with Tom Alter and Benjamin Gilani, reviving serious theatre in India.
Five-Decade Career
Over 50 years of acting experience across films, theatre, and television, with more than 100 feature films to his name.
Bridging Art and Mainstream Cinema
Seamlessly transitioned between parallel cinema (Aakrosh, Sparsh) and mainstream hits (Masoom, Karma, Mohra), earning critical and popular acclaim.
Theatre Revivalist
Played a pivotal role in keeping serious theatre alive in India, performing and directing landmark productions with Motley.
National Film Award – Best Actor
Won the National Award for Sparsh, Paar, and later Iqbal (Best Supporting Actor), marking excellence across decades.
Filmfare Awards – Best Actor
Bagged multiple Filmfare Awards for Aakrosh (1981), Chakra (1982), and Masoom (1984).
Volpi Cup for Best Actor
Received at the Venice Film Festival for his performance in Paar — a rare international honour for an Indian actor.
Padma Shri
Honoured by the Government of India for his contribution to Indian cinema and performing arts.
Padma Bhushan
Conferred with India’s third-highest civilian award for decades of excellence and service to the arts.
Why Naseeruddin Shah ?
Whenever Naseeruddin speaks, he brings with him stories of five decades-not just about acting, but about life, integrity, and the price of staying true to yourself. And what he says lingers well after the claps die away.
His voice is one of those few that can seamlessly move from Shakespeare into social commentary, from the art of performance into the craft of self-discipline. His talks challenge the mind while touching the heart.
Be it mentoring young actors or a hall full of students, the approach has been deeply embedded in honesty. He doesn't believe in preaching; he believes in provoking thought.
He represents a generation that prized substance over spectacle. His insights regarding cinema, storytelling, and the evolution of art in India are of value to any audience interested in understanding the nature of creativity beyond its trappings of fame.
Unfiltered has always been the quality of Naseeruddin Shah, and therein lies his strength: candor, courage, and reflection add depth to any conversation. He moves people; he inspires them.
Snapshots of Naseeruddin Shah
Showcasing some prominent images and videos of Naseeruddin Shah including our previous events and other endeavors.
