Veteran Actor Naseeruddin Shah Turns 73, Speaks About His Earlier Career and His First Salary of Rs. 7.5

Naseeruddin Shah celebrates his birthday today. He turned 73, and in an interview spoke about his films, ups and downs in his career, and more about the challenges.

Written by: Arjita Gupta

Edited by: Krutarth Ghosalkar

Last Updated: July 20, 2023

The 1975 Hindi film Nishant served as the launchpad for Naseeruddin Shah's Bollywood life. He was only 16 at the inception of his acting career and today on 20 July 2023, the Bollywood actor turned 73. He appeared in movies like Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa (1994), Masoom (1983), and Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983), during the following few decades. In a previous Bollywood news interview, Naseeruddin described how he got his start in acting and shared the amount of his first paycheck, which was only Rs. 7.50.

One of the best actors in Bollywood Hindi films is Naseeruddin Shah, who frequently expresses his opinions on society, history, and politics as well. His first performance, which he had earlier recalled to Bollywood news, had been as an extra in the 1967 movie Aman. For it, he received Rs. 7.50. In 2012, Naseeruddin stated, "As an extra when I was 16 in Mohan Kumar's film Aman. I am positioned behind Rajendra Kumar in the final shot as he is being brought to his funeral, appearing very solemn.

The earning of Rs. 7.50 lasted me for two weeks. In the same Bollywood news interview, Naseeruddin further explained how he came to be an actor, stating, "My school did several plays. I was sure I could outperform the young people who had performed them. “My father transferred me to a different school after I failed a class. I got up with four pals and acted out scenes from The Merchant of Venice, in front of a whole crowd.”

And at the age of 14, I was certain that this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. My grades suddenly improved, and I was accepted into the cricket squad. My life was altered by it! And my poor deluded dad believed I was studying but I was not doing so.” The last time we saw Naseeruddin Shah was in Taj: Reign of Revenge. Rahul Bose, Zarina Wahab, Aditi Rao Hydari, and Sandhya Mridul, also starred in the series. On 12 May 2023, Zee5 will broadcast the series.

Naseeruddin discussed the languages spoken in Pakistan during the promotion of Taj: Divided By Blood, the first season of the web series. The actor then apologized for his "misstatement about the Sindhi language in Pakistan" after being widely criticized for his claim that Sindhi was not spoken in Pakistan anymore.