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Naseeruddin Shah Reflects on Grueling Three-Shift Days Early in Career

The veteran actor admits financial necessity drove him to endure exhausting schedules, while Ratna Pathak Shah highlights her contrasting, quality-driven approach.

Naseeruddin Shah recalled working three shifts a day to make money.
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Naseeruddin Shah recalls working '3 shifts a day' just for money: No worse torture
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Overview

  • Naseeruddin Shah revealed he worked three shifts a day in the 1980s and 1990s purely for financial reasons, calling it 'torture' and later regretting the toll it took on his well-being and craft.
  • Speaking on the Aadyam Theatre podcast, Shah admitted that no amount of money justified the agony of jumping between sets, with much of his time spent socializing rather than working.
  • Ratna Pathak Shah contrasted her approach, emphasizing her commitment to giving her best to every role, even in limited opportunities, to preserve artistic integrity.
  • She expressed admiration for her husband's dedication but also shared feelings of occasional resentment over taking second place to his career, a sentiment she discussed at the FICCI Flo Hyderabad summit.
  • Their candid reflections have sparked broader conversations about the challenges of balancing financial demands with creative fulfillment in the film industry.