Naseeruddin Shah is an outstanding actor in English and Hindi theatre. He is also regarded as a stalwart in cinema. Naseeruddin Shah was born in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh in 1950. He trained as an actor at the National School of Drama (NSD) and the Film and Television Institute, Pune. At the NSD, Ebrahim Alkazi`s direction equipped him with skills to portray various kinds of characters. He joined the NSD Repertory in 1972.

After moving to Bombay in 1973, Naseeruddin Shah worked with Majma and Theatre Unit. These were the important Hindi groups there. He began in Majma`s production of Lai`s Coffee House Mein Intezar i.e. `Waiting in the Coffee House` in 1973. He acted under Satyadev Dubey as director for Theatre Unit in Dubeys Apratyashit i.e. `Unexpected` in 1978 and Mahesh Elkunchwar`s Pratibimb i.e. `Reflection` in 1987. He formed his own group, Motley, in 1979 to stage English theatre. Its successes included Beckett`s Waiting for Godot in 1979 and Endgame in 1982. He also staged Neil Simon`s `The Odd Couple` in 1986, Herman Wouk`s The Caine Mutiny Court Martial in 1989, Shakespeare`s `Caesar` in 1990, and Mahatma vs Gandhi in 1997. This was translated from Ajit Dalvi`s Gandhi Viruddha Gandhi.

Naseeruddin Shah is a soft-spoken and sensitive actor. He is master of slight gestures to delineate psychological nuances. Shah displays complete control whether in realism or comedy, and changes totally according to the character`s needs. He is equally comfortable in cinema. He maintains a laudable balance between the two media, among the few crossover actors to continue regular theatre activities despite busy shooting schedules. In movies, too, he works in both commercial and art films, retaining a reputation among both critics and mass audiences. Some of his works are really praiseworthy.

Naseeruddin Shah`s finest cine credits cover a vast range. It includes Shyam Benegal`s Bhumika i.e. `Role` in 1976, Sai Paranjpye`s Sparsh i.e. `Touch` in 1979, Govind Nihalani`s Akrosh i.e. `Cry of the Wounded` in 1980, and Saeed Mirza`s Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyon Ata Hai i.e. `What Makes Albert Pinto Angry` in 1980. The list also includes some more as Ketan Mehta`s Bhavni Bhavai i.e. `Bhavai of Life` in 1980, Rabindra Dharmaraj`s Chakra i.e. `Vicious Circle` in 1980, Ashok Ahuja`s Adharshila i.e. `Foundation Stone` in 1981, Shekhar Kapur`s Masum i.e. `Innocent` in 1982, Paranjpye`s Katha i.e. `Talk` in 1982.

He was great in Benegal`s Mandi i.e. `Marketplace` in 1983, Kundan Shah`s Jane Bhi Do Yaaron i.e. `Who Pays the Piper` in 1983, Mrinal Sen`s Khandhar or `Ruins` in 1983, Mirza`s Mohan Joshi Hazir Ho! i.e. `Summons for Mohan Joshi` in 1984, Gautam Ghosh`s Par i.e. `Crossing` in 1984. Mehta`s Mirch Masala i.e. `Spices` in 1985, Benegal`s Trikal or `Past Present and Future` in 1985 are worth mentionable. In one of Kalpana Lajmi`s film named `Ek Pal` in 1986 Naseeruddin Shah acted very well. Naseeruddin Shah acted great in Subhash Ghai`s Karma in 1986, Vijaya Mehta`s Pestonjee in 1987, Aruna Raje`s Rihai or `Respite` in 1988, Girish Kasaravalli`s Ek Ghar or `One Room` in 1990.