Ratna and Naseeruddin Shah

Naseeruddin Shah has been much heard of lately. Apparently though in the past the actor refused to dye his hair for a film, he has just done that plus shaved his beard and lost a great deal of weight to provide a foil as a 40-year-old eligible bachelor against Vidya Balan in “Ishqiya”, According to reports, the veteran actor says he is having the time of his life shooting the movie.
Against this backdrop we have the chronicle of the no-frills yet exceedingly talented actor couple: Naseeruddin Shah and his wife Ratna Pathak Shah who are making their imprint felt in what has come to be known as “meaningful” or “alternative' Indian cinema.
Here's the lowdown on them: As a schoolboy, Naseerudin was so impressed with Geoffrey Kendal's (a British actor-manager whose Shakespearana company toured India and the Far East for nearly 20 years performing the works of Shakespeare and other classics) that he joined the Pune Film Institute. He caught the attention of director Shyam Benegal who offered him a role in his upcoming film “Nishant”. The latter was so impressed by Naseeruddin's acting ability that the actor landed roles in most of Benegal's succeeding films.
Naseeruddin also made waves with the Benegal movie “Junoon” (1978) which was followed up with “Aakrosh” (1980) directed by Govind Nihalani. Then followed a number of successful films such as “Masoom”, “Khandar”, “Paar”, “Katha”, “Pestonjee”, “Tridev” “Mohra” and “Vishwatma”.
Recent acclaimed works are “Monsoon Wedding”, Sarfarosh” and “Iqbal”. New films on the line include “ Valley of Flowers ”, Paraznia” and “Ek Dhun Banaras Kee'. This year will see the release of films such as “Allah Ke Bandey”, “Ishqiya”, “Firaaq” and “Barah Anna”.
In her turn, his wife Ratna Pathak Shah has left her mark on TV serials. She appeared as a wife in “The Perfect Murder” and recently acted in “Sarabhai vs Sarabhai”, two hit comedy serials on Indian TV. In July 2008, she enacted the role of the mother of the hero in the highly successful film “Jaane tu ya jaane na”. Naseeruddin played her husband as a deceased character who talks to her from a portrait. She has also acted in several Russian plays.
The daughter of the late veteran Bollywood actress Dina Pathak, Ratna will be seen in a role in “Aladin”, a film featuring Amitabh Bachchan. In this film, she will play a small but important role. Ratna has been quoted as saying, “I play someone who is like a mother figure to Ritesh. Since he is a parentless boy, he is quite a loner and a shy boy. He trusts me though and there is quite a strong bond between us.”
Why has she made such few film in the past? “I am quite selective about films,” she says.
Nasseruddin and Ratna-- A well matched couple indeed.

Compiled by Cultural Correspondent