When Om Puri revealed how Bollywood's nepotism did disservice to Naseeruddin Shah's talent
Mumbai, July 1
The friendship between the late actor Om Puri and veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah was nothing short of legendary. The two stuck with each other through thick and thin, and became each other's quiet strength even in the face of nepotism back in the day.
An old video of Om Puri lauding his friend has resurfaced on the Internet. It shows the late actor talking about how Naseeruddin Shah is respected globally.
He said, "Maybe you don't know it very well. You are a very good actor. Not only in India, but you are popular abroad as well. And it is appreciated. Right now, your film Monsoon Wedding is being discussed. Many British people from our film unit have seen this film and praised you a lot. Naseer, I have a serious question for you. You have worked a lot in the film industry for the last 25 years".
He further mentioned, "I think you have worked in more than 150 films. If you tell this to the British people, they will faint. But our own film industry is very notorious. They will keep giving you money. But they will distribute good roles among their relatives. And they will make you a goon by holding a knife in their hands. If you are disappointed to see the big hoardings of bodybuilders, then bring some names in your mind from your films. For instance, 'Sparsh', 'Manthan', 'Akhrosh' and 'Jaane Bhi Do Yaro'. Only then you will be able to stand among the international actors".
The friendship between the 2 actors weighed in gold. They shared one of Indian cinema's most respected friendships. Both came from the world of theatre and the National School of Drama, becoming key figures of the parallel cinema movement. Their bond was built on shared struggles, artistic respect, and a passion for realistic acting.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As someone who loves Indian cinema from abroad, it's heartbreaking to see how legends like Naseeruddin Shah were reduced to stereotypical roles. Monsoon Wedding is a masterpiece, and he deserved far more recognition. Bollywood needs to learn from this.
The truth always comes out. Om Puri was spot on - while the Kapoors and Bachchans got all the glamorous roles, actors like Naseeruddin Shah were forced to play goons or comic sidekicks. It's a shame that even today, nepotism rules Bollywood. But at least people are now aware, thanks to videos like this. 🙏
This friendship is what true art is about - supporting each other against the system. Om Puri and Naseeruddin Shah didn't need PR teams; their work spoke for itself. But honestly, we also need to appreciate that some newer filmmakers are trying to break this cycle.
Om Puri's words still ring true. Even today, you see the same pattern - star kids get launched with big banners while theatre actors struggle for decades. Naseeruddin Shah is a global icon, but Bollywood treated him like a second-class citizen. Shameful, but not surprising. 😔
This video is a treasure for any cinema lover. Both these actors were the backbone of meaningful cinema in India. But let's be honest - we, as audiences, also contributed by not supporting their films enough. We craved masala, and that's what the industry gave. Time to change our viewing habits too. 🎬
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.