Naseeruddin Shah

Naseeruddin Shah Biography

Naseeruddin Shah is an Indian actor who works primarily in Hindi films. Born on 20 July 1950 in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, he became one of the defining figures of India’s parallel cinema movement while also appearing in mainstream Hindi films and international productions. He is the recipient of three National Film Awards, three Filmfare Awards and the Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival, and the Government of India honoured him with the Padma Shri in 1987 and the Padma Bhushan in 2003.

Shah attended St. Anselm’s in Ajmer and St Joseph’s College, Nainital, graduated in arts from Aligarh Muslim University in 1971 and trained at the National School of Drama in Delhi and at the Film and Television Institute. His film career began in the mid-1970s with Shyam Benegal’s Nishant (1975) and Manthan (1976), followed by Aakrosh, Sparsh, Mirch Masala, Junoon, Mandi, Ardh Satya and Katha. He moved into mainstream cinema from 1980 onwards with Hum Paanch, Masoom (1983), the cult comedy Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron (1983), Karma (1986) and Tridev (1989).

In 1977 he co-founded the theatre group Motley Productions with Tom Alter and Benjamin Gilani, staging Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot at Prithvi Theatre in 1979. He directed the film Yun Hota To Kya Hota (2006) and published a memoir, And Then One Day, in 2014. Shah was married to Manara Sikri, with whom he has a daughter, actress Heeba Shah, and married actress Ratna Pathak in 1982; their sons Imaad and Vivaan are both actors. The family lives in Mumbai, and he continues to work in films, streaming series and theatre.

Basic Details

• Full Name: Naseeruddin Shah
• Date of Birth: 20 July 1950
• Age: 76 (as of 2026)
• Birthplace: Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, India
• Nationality: Indian
• Occupations: Actor, director
• Years Active: 1972 – present
• Education: Aligarh Muslim University; National School of Drama, Delhi; Film and Television Institute
• Spouses: Manara Sikri (deceased); Ratna Pathak Shah (married 1982)
• Children: Heeba Shah, Imaad Shah, Vivaan Shah
• Honours: Padma Shri (1987), Padma Bhushan (2003)

Career Highlights

Awards and Nominations