Naseeruddin Shah reveals hilarious reason for choosing acting over 'respectable' job

Naseeruddin Shah, one of Bollywood’s finest actors, has always been known for his unparalleled talent and deep understanding of cinema. Over the years, his remarkable performances have won hearts and earned him a revered place in the industry. Recently, the actor shared a humorous and candid reason for choosing acting over a more "respectable" profession — something that may not be what many would expect.

In an interview with Aadyam Theatre, Shah opened up about his family’s expectations and how they influenced his career decisions. When asked about his father’s desire for him to pursue a more traditional career, Shah said, “That I’ve become a doctor or something like that. A respectable profession.”

The actor also spoke about growing up in a “straight-laced family,” a household with a strong sense of discipline and expectations. Reflecting on his family, Shah shared a curious and amusing anecdote about his grandmother, revealing that she had once “faked blindness.”

Shah’s love for cinema and theater began at an early age. He reminisced about the time when his father, who worked as a deputy collector, would take him and his siblings to the theater. “He just wanted to get us the hell out of the house because I was five, my brother was seven, and the other was eight,” Shah recalled.
When it came time for Shah to choose a profession, he jokingly stated, “I decided I would be an actor because I was not good at anything else. I was decent at cricket, but that was about it.”