How not good looking Naseer got his first film 'Nishant'
Jan 21,2015
Jaipur, Jan 21 (IANS) It was not merely for his acting prowess that the Bollywood actor Naseeruddin Shah got his first role in "Nishant". Not being a good-looking actor had instantly struck a chord with the film's director, Shyam Benegal, who cast him for a pivotal role.
"I had lost a girl friend for not being a good looking man who would make it to the movies, but I got the job because I wasn't good looking," Shah said.
The 65-year-old actor was in conversation with writer and actor Girish Karnad at the "And Then One Day" session on the opening day of the Jaipur Literature Festival.
Interestingly, there is a long history behind the camaraderie between the two.
Karnad was the director of prestigious Film and Television Institute of India when Nasser was a student there and it was he who had suggested Shah's name to Benegal, who was sure that he didn't want a "conventional chocolaty boy" for the role.
"Once Naseer had come to me and asked if him being a Muslim would be an obstacle to his acting career? I had told him that Dilip Kumar too was a Muslim who was loved by many and all," said Karnad.
But even after making a powerful debut, Shah recollected how "instant fame" was difficult to come by and how he had to go through a period of struggle when he was relatively "jobless".
However, Benegal's "Manthan", which also featured Karnad, changed the course of his career and Shah was seen in a slew of films like "Sparsh" "Aakrosh" and "Mandi" that required a method actor and not a star.
Yet, the lament of not-being a star has disappointed Shah, who admitted that he hadn't joined the industry to do "art movies", but slowly came in terms with his ordinary looks.
"I never became a star and I have to admit that it was disappointing," said Shah.
"But then I started examining my face and realised I could alter it. Even from my early years, when I was 15 or 16, I had this habit of growing beard and my greatest achievement was when my mother couldn't recognise me," he added.
Even if the seasoned actor thought he wasn't a star, the reception he received from the crowd was overwhelming as they shouted and clapped at his arrival on the stage.
This response reconfirmed how people loved him for his acting and ordinary looks that have become unconventional in their own way.
Top Stories
Mushtaq Khan Death: Rajpal Yadav Reveals What Happened During Their Final Meeting
Sep 25,2026
Recently, news emerged from Bollywood that left fans heartbroken. Veteran actor Mushtaq Khan—famous for delivering the iconic dialogue "Meri ek taang nakli hai, main hockey ka bahut bada khiladi tha..." (I have a prosthetic leg; I used to be a great hockey player...) in the Nana Pa
'Udta Teer' Trailer Out: Ayushmann Khurrana’s quirky spy comedy with Sara Ali Khan features an India-Pakistan twist.
Sep 23,2026
The trailer of Ayushmann Khurrana and Sara Ali Khan's upcoming spy comedy Udta Teer is out. Ayushmann plays Bilal, a Pakistani spy who lands in India on a covert mission but loses his memory after an accident, leading to a bizarre case of mistaken identity.There has been considerable buzz
Govinda-Rani Swarnkar Relationship: Actor Visits Lalbaugcha Raja Without Sunita, Here’s What He Has Said
Sep 23,2026
Govinda and Komal Rani Swarnkar were spotted together at Mumbai's iconic Lalbaugcha Raja on Tuesday night, September 22, where the actor sought blessings and participated in the final aarti. Their appearance comes amid ongoing speculation about Govinda's equation with his Roopa co-star a
Parineeti Chopra Reacts to Katrina Kaif’s Weight Trolling: “Why View It Negatively?”
Sep 22,2026
Parineeti Chopra has come out in support of Katrina Kaif after the actress faced online trolling over her appearance following the birth of her son. Calling the criticism “uneducated and bizarre,” Parineeti questioned why physical changes experienced by women after childbirth a
Ganesh Chaturthi 2026: Sanjay Dutt, Ananya Panday, Sunny Leone Seek Blessings at Lalbaugcha Raja
Sep 22,2026
Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in Mumbai have once again brought Bollywood celebrities to the iconic Lalbaugcha Raja pandal. Several stars have visited the revered Ganpati idol during the ongoing festivities to offer prayers and seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha.Among the celebrities assoc
Salman Khan Viral Video: Bhaijaan Stops After Child Is Pushed, Scolds Driver Over Fan’s Foot
Sep 18,2026
Bollywood superstar Salman Khan’s appearances during Mumbai’s Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations have once again attracted significant attention online. From visiting the Ambani family’s residence and celebrating with his family to seeking Lord Ganesha’s blessing
King vs. Avengers: Doomsday – Shah Rukh Khan says "The father will come first," anticipating a Christmas box office clash.
Sep 15,2026
Shah Rukh Khan has once again shown why he is known as Bollywood’s ‘King Khan’. During his latest #AskSRK session on X, the superstar gave a witty response when a fan asked him about the much-discussed box-office clash between his upcoming film King and Marvel Studios&rsq
Salman Khan’s Ganesh Chaturthi Look Goes Viral: Tilak and Angavastram Steal the Show
Sep 15,2026
Salman Khan's appearance at the Ambani family's Ganesh Chaturthi celebration has become a talking point on social media. A video showing the Bollywood superstar offering prayers to Lord Ganpati at Antilia has gone viral, with fans praising his traditional festive appearance and the momen
Entertainment News
King vs. Avengers: Doomsday
Sep 15,2026
Salman Khan’s Ganesh Chaturt
Sep 15,2026
Shatrughan Sinha on Sonakshi S
Aug 18,2026
Emraan Hashmi’s Iconic Heart
Aug 18,2026
Batwara 1947 Review: Sunny Deo
Aug 14,2026