Naseeruddin Shah is certainly one of the most talented and versatile actors of Indian cinema and he is also one of those few actors who are known for their candid nature and never hesitate in speaking their mind.
Even in his early years, he displayed the same fearless spirit. During a recent conversation at an event with actor Parvathy, he recounted an incident from his student days that highlighted his outspokenness.
While studying at the Film and Television Institute of India in Pune, Naseer came across news that filmmaker Gulzar was planning a biopic on the legendary poet Mirza Ghalib, with Sanjeev Kumar in the lead role.
Though an accomplished actor, Sanjeev Kumar’s selection for the role did not sit well with the young Naseer, who felt he lacked fluency in Urdu which was necessary to do justice to the part. Unable to contain his frustration, Naseer took a bold step — he wrote a letter to Gulzar, asserting that he was the right choice for the role and even enclosed a photograph, a significant expense (Rs. 5) for him at that time.
However, fate had other plans. The letter never reached Gulzar and soon after it, the project was shelved due to Sanjeev Kumar’s health issues. Years passed and in the late 1980s, Gulzar revived the idea — not as a film but as a television series. This time, he approached Naseer himself with the offer to play Ghalib. The actor was stunned by the turn of events and eagerly accepted.
The resulting show, Mirza Ghalib, became a landmark series on Doordarshan, with Naseeruddin Shah embodying the poet’s essence. Accompanied by the soulful renditions of Ghalib’s ghazals by Jagjit Singh and Chitra Singh and supported by stellar performances from Tanvi Azmi and Neena Gupta, the series remains one of the most celebrated portrayals of the legendary poet’s life.
For Naseeruddin Shah, it was more than just a role — it was proof that sometimes, speaking one’s mind can lead to the most unexpected and rewarding journeys.
