‘Acting is not an end in itself’

After a long interview last week, Naseeruddin Shah came up with a few rapid fire answers for our series

October 03, 2017 10:05 pm | Updated 10:05 pm IST

FOR THE HINDU METRO PLUS:To go with Ms.Hemangini's story on Actor Naseeruddin Shah. Photo:Bhagya Prakash_K_Bangalore_02-10-04.

FOR THE HINDU METRO PLUS:To go with Ms.Hemangini's story on Actor Naseeruddin Shah. Photo:Bhagya Prakash_K_Bangalore_02-10-04.

Acting is…

The ability to react to imaginary stimulus.

Is it pretence or alternate reality?

Lies like truth.

The most rewarding thing about being an actor...

Actors can live many imaginary lives without facing the real life consequences!

The most frustrating thing about it...

That it is entirely dependent on others' output.

The one quality an actor must possess...

The desire to get across, acting is not an end in itself, it is done to communicate someone else's or your own thoughts.

One trait an actor should absolutely not have...

Being moved by his own work.

Instinct or method?

Every actor finds his/her own method depending on the sharpness of instinct.

Actors are born/can be trained?

Acting is a craft that can be mastered.

What do you recollect of your first film audition? Or any other memorable audition?

I have never had to audition.

Auditions are crucial/a waste of time?

A waste of time and an ego trip for directors.

What inspires you to pick up a role and reject another?

Instinct(!!)

An actor is a puppet in the hands of a director…

It's the puppet the audience looks at!

An actor is a director in progress, a director in the making. Yes or no?

An actor is an actor in progress and he'll be that all his life though he may also be other things.

An actor you would have loved to direct…

Anyone who is just right for a particular part.

The dream role...

None.

What is more important? The film or your role in it?

The film.

If you were not an actor...

I would have been a failed actor.

0 / 0
Sign in to unlock member-only benefits!
  • Access 10 free stories every month
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.