Naseer is one actor who’s intrigued me the most over the years. And reading his much controversial autobiography gives you an intimate insight in his childhood, teenage years, romance, and entry into film world.
IMO this is a brutally honest no holds barred autobiography of an actor who’s par excellence. As a viewer of Bollywood films I loved his acting from 1975-1988 the most and thereafter he got relegated to far too many paisa vasool masala movies thanks to oye oye. And then recently that distinguished inspiring act of a classical vocalist in Bandish Bandits(2020) that was like reconnecting with the good old Naseer.
His autobiography deals with intimate details of his growing up years, it’s not one dimensional or self praising kind, the types you get to read most often wherein Indian celebs are still living in their past glories, no this isn’t like that. Naseer deals with the horrors of his past, reveals his darkest weaknesses and also makes it sure that he tells only what he prefers telling. The very formal fearsome relationship with his father, addiction to drugs during his younger years (the big deal made out of celebrities drug association during Sushant’s case makes one wonder ain’t we aware drugs have been around for ages), his affairs, an infamous spat with a friend turned foe who almost killed Naseer and several other aspects get discussed.
It’s interesting to read about his stint at NSD and later FTII, he’s as honest as one can get in that. While an alumni would sugarcoat his experience, Naseer bares his heart out revealing both the pros and cons. There’s detailed analysis of his films like Nishant (1975), Manthan(1977), Bhumika(1977), Godhuli(1978), Sparsh (1980) and other classics. He openly criticises his movies like Sunayana(1979), Haadsaa(1983) and Karma(1986) and writes about how he regrets doing them. He’s quick to add that he made good money by doing commercial movies like Haadsaa(1983) gave him a free Dubai trip and stay at a five star hotel as that’s where the movie was filmed.
He’s written sensitively about his relationship with older daughter Heeba and his first marriage with Parveen Murad that ended bitterly. There are honest references at incidents where he felt he was rejected by Ratna Pathak’s parents in the initial days of their courtship.
Most impressive is Naseer’s analysis of various methods of acting, he writes about the important aspects of acting and emoting that he learnt at NSD, FTII and later from different directors during his film career. These very comprehensive paragraphs about acting methodologies are a treat to read besides his various revelations.
Comments
Post a Comment