We grew up listening to stories of one sub inspector called Kulbhushan Pandit who went on to become Raaj Kumar on screen. Many years passed and we could not find a “uniformed” soul in films until one came across Mohommed Ali Shah in Haider . It was a small role but Shah was noticed for the authenticity he brought to the character. Ali comes from the family of illustrious Shahs. His father is Lt. Gen. (retd.) Zameer Uddin Shah and his uncle is Naseeruddin Shah. While growing up, he faced the same issues that his uncle has carefully noted in his autobiography. Agrees Ali, “When I was in school, after winning an inter-school drama competition, I told my parents that I want to become an actor. My father laughed it off as a passing phase.”
Today, he says, his father, who is the Vice-Chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University, is his biggest supporter. Ali took the long route and has a justification for it. “I went for the Short Service Commission to keep the family’s martial tradition alive. But I seriously feel it was a better option than going to the National School of Drama.” From uncle Naseer, aunt Ratna (Pathak) to Pankaj Kapur he gives a long list of people around him who are from the institution. “Spending three years there would not have added more. In the Army, apart from nurturing patriotic feelings, I learnt horse riding, mountain climbing, diving, hand gliding and was paid for it. It is the best finishing school. Today, I can do almost any stunt on my own.”
Meanwhile, he adds, the Army didn’t stop him from polishing his acting skills. “I kept on doing theatre. I used to conduct workshops for jawans. I used to lead all the social evenings. Whenever they needed an emcee for an event, I was called. When India hosted the fourth Military World Games in 2007, I was handpicked as a television commentator for Doordarshan.”
An insider, Ali is the right person to know about the portrayal of Army men on screen. “It is often fake. We are very particular about our uniform and hair cut and Bollywood mostly gets it wrong.” In fact, he finds the detailing missing even in popular films like Border. “The only time I found the training routine and the slangs closer to reality was in Lakshya . Hritihik’s character was very much like what I went through before joining the Army. I was also a recluse and the Army gave shape to my personality,” says Ali, who wants to carry the Major tag in the credits if the director has no objection to it. “I might not be the hero as of now, but I have served alongside real heroes,” reflects Ali who went on to study at IIM Calcutta and has worked with Genpact and Mahindra. “These are all experiences that I want to share through my roles.”
After having played multiple roles in films like The Great Indian Tamasha and The Ruffian , where he was supposed to turn up in uniform, Ali is waiting for his big break in Tigmanshu Dhulia’s Yaara , where he is playing one of the important characters. “I am playing a Sikh character, who ages through the course of the film.” Giving it all, Ali spent days in the Golden Temple learning the basic tenets of Sikhism. “I quit smoking and performed seva at the Temple by cleaning utensils and sweeping floors. During the process I grew my hair and beard and learnt to tie the turban.”
In talks with Majid Majidi for his next project, Ali looks up to his uncle for constructive criticism. He points out even when just a nuqta is missing,” says Ali who has done “Cane Mutiny Court Martial” alongside Naseer and is regularly seen on the Delhi stage in “Ghalib” and “Ghalib Ke Khutoot”. “I am a firm believer in the saying that when you want something, the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it,” Ali signs off.
