Naseeruddin Shah is a man who single-handedly managed to leave a mark on Indian Parallel and Mainstream Cinema. On his Birthday today, he turns 62 and is still a stimulating actor, cool family man and easily a strong competitor to actors around him.

The Actor:

From the heartbreaking Masoom to the comical deadman in Chamatkar, he’s played it all and still finds ways to reinvent himself in every role he commits to. Be it on stage or in front of the camera, Shah is probably one of India’s (hopefully not) last set of serious actors that can make you laugh, cry and get you involved in his character.

The Director:

I did the costumes for George Benard Shaw’s The Arms And The Man that was directed by Shah and produced by his theatre company, Motley Productions. Naseeruddin Shah is as brilliant a director as he is an actor. His narration of a fictitious story around the WTC bombings was critically acclaimed. But being Naseeruddin Shah, he humble replied, “I just wanted to tell a story.”

The Family Man:

With a family as talented as the man himself, he has done a couple of films that had him starring them, individually. Everybody remembers his hilarious role with wife, Ratna Pathak Shah in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na. He signed on son Imaad Shah in his directorial debut Yun Hota To Kya Hota. Though in 7 Khoon Maaf he didnt share screen time with his younger son, Vivaan Shah; they did share the same film together.

So here’s wishing the man of modern Indian cinema a Happy Birthday!!!