Naseeruddin Shah Says His Late Father Was ‘The Villain’ Of His Life, Recalls A Dream Where He...

In a recent interview, Naseeruddin Shah recounted a dream he had several years after his father's passing, which brought a sense of closure to their strained relationship.

Naseeruddin Shah

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New Delhi: Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah has frequently discusses the intricate dynamics of his relationship with his father, who strongly disapproved of his choice to pursue a career in acting. In previous interviews, he has candidly shared the experience of having heartfelt conversations with his father at his gravesite. In a recent interview, Naseeruddin Shah recounted a dream he had several years after his father's passing, which brought a sense of closure to their strained relationship.

During an appearance on the 'We Are Yuvaa' YouTube channel, the actor revealed that his father had desired him to follow the path of his two older brothers and secure a respectable job. However, Naseeruddin rebelled against this expectation, opting instead to chase his aspiration of becoming an actor, a decision that did not align with his father's wishes. 

He revealed that his father was taken aback when he displayed a complete lack of interest in academics, even going so far as to fail in the 9th grade. Naseeruddin Shah's father had expressed deep concern and skepticism, questioning him with words like, "Nautanki karoge toh khana kaha se khaoge?" 

Additionally, Naseeruddin also opened up about the patriarchal environment in which he was raised and expressed his determination not to repeat the same mistakes with his own children despite which he said that he hasn’t been an 'ideal father'.

Naseer said in Urdu, "This is a tricky subject. I never wanted to become like my father. I wanted my children to be relaxed around me, and be my friends. I have been only partially successful, because some behaviours are ingrained in you, not because of genetics, but memetics – what a person gathers from their surroundings. I tend to lose my temper some times. I have never raised my hand on them. I don’t want them to be afraid of me. I don’t know how successful I have been."

When he was asked about what he learned about his father after he passed away, Naseer said, "I used to think of him as the villain of my life. But I’d forgotten how open-hearted he was. It was impossible for him to understand me, and he was afraid of what he would find out if he tried to understand me."

He then went on to open up about a dream he had about his father, and said that it was the only dream that he has ever had that he still remembers. "It was two or three years after his death. In the dream, we’re sitting across from each other with a long interview table between us. And he says to me, 'Tell me about your father'. And I don’t hold back. I tell him every complaint I’ve ever had against him. And he listens silently, smiling as if he understands. I found some closure, but alas, we never saw eye to eye."

Nasseruddin's father was Aley Mohammed. He is presently married to Ratna Pathak Shah and has three kids--Heeba, Imaad and Vivaan Shah.