Veteran actor-filmmaker Naseeruddin Shah shared his views on originality in cinema, recounting a conversation he once had with noted screenwriter Javed Akhtar about the iconic film Sholay. Speaking at the IFP Season 14 event, Shah recalled telling Akhtar that his 1975 classic was heavily influenced by the works of Charlie Chaplin and Clint Eastwood.
“Sholay is considered one of the greatest Indian films, but I told Javed that every scene seemed like a copy, with Chaplin’s influence and Clint Eastwood felt in every frame,” Naseeruddin Shah said. Akhtar, who co-wrote the film with Salim Khan, responded with his own perspective on originality, Shah added. “Javed said, ‘It’s not about where the reference is from, but how far you take it.’”
Shah, reflecting on the difficulty of defining originality, mentioned that even literary greats like William Shakespeare borrowed from older works but brought originality in their presentation. He noted how Sholay, directed by Ramesh Sippy, was a blend of Spaghetti Western and Samurai cinema, drawing inspiration from Eastwood’s iconic films. The film featured a star-studded cast including Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjeev Kumar, Hema Malini, Jaya Bhaduri, and Amjad Khan.
Shah’s Views on Indian Cinema
Shah also expressed his admiration for filmmakers such as Mrinal Sen, Basu Chatterjee, and Satyajit Ray, whose films like Bhuvan Shome and Ankur were groundbreaking at the time. “Today, filmmakers like Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane, and Rajkumar Hirani continue to push boundaries, but the industry faces challenges, and a new wave of cinema seems unlikely,” Shah remarked.
At 74, Shah reflected on the current state of the industry and his evolving role as an actor. “I enjoy doing cameos now because I’ve done my share of lead roles. It’s more about enjoying the process at this stage,” he said. His recent work includes the web series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack and films like Kuttey and Gehraiyaan.
Shah’s Short Film Man Woman Man Woman Premieres at IFP
Shah’s directorial short film Man Woman Man Woman was screened at the IFP. The 26-minute film, starring his wife Ratna Pathak Shah, son Vivaan Shah, Saba Azad, and Tarun Dhanrajgir, explores love across generations. Shah noted that audiences were surprised by the film’s light tone, as they expected something darker from him.
His son, Imaad Shah, who composed the film’s music, praised his parents for their acting legacy. Azad, who shares a close bond with the Shah family, described working with Ratna Pathak Shah as a fulfilling experience.
