Happy Birthday Naseeruddin Shah: Top 10 career defining roles by the legend

New Delhi Naseeruddin Shah is one of the most versatile actors that Indian cinema has seen. Mr Shah, who hails from the small town of Barabanki, entered the film industry with the movie “Nishant” in 1975 and now holds a place of his own. This is despite not having a great start in the industry as he struggled for the first few years. It was with his performance in the movie Sparsh in 1980 that he won everybody’s heart. Naseer ji has done several movies in English too but was mainly seen in Bollywood. On the special occasion of his birthday, here are the top 10 movies of Naseruddin Shah that made us happy and proude

Mandi (1983): Naseer’s act in this Shyam Benegal film is considered as the finest act by the great artist. He played the role of a “Dungrus” in this film.

Sparsh 1980 Directed by Sai Paranjpye, the movie tells a poignant love story between a principal of a blind school who himself is blind. The plot of this story is quite simplistic and tells a beautiful love story between the characters. Role played brilliantly by Naseeruddin Shah and equally flair by Shabana Azmi. He recieved the Best Actor for his performance in the film.

Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983): This Kundan Shah film was a comical satire on the corruption which is uncontrolled in India. Naseerudin Shah played photographer in this movie.

Masoom (1982): Mr Shah played the role of an upper middle class happy family man in this Shekhar Kapur directorial. He won the Filmfare for Best Actor for this movie.

Mirch Masala (1987): The movie is screened out of the village in Gujarat. Mr Shah played the role of Brown Sahib as a Subedar in the era of colonial India in this film by Ketan Mehta.

Bazaar (1982): Naseer portrayed the character of a poetic lover in this film and it turned out to be one of his strongest performances. This movie made him win another Best Actor award.

Umrao Jaan (1981): In this film by Muzaffar Ali, Naseer Saheb played a supporting actor. As Gauhar Mirza, Shah did complete justice to his role and the film emerged a big hit.

Ijaazat (1987): The film is touted as the most poetic love story ever written by Gulzar shab. It followed the story of a couple who gets separated and then accidently meets at a railway station. Mr Shah played the lead in the movie.

Maqbool (2003): As an old, corrupt policeman in this Vishal Bhardwaj film, the birthday boy won many accolades. .

Genesis (1986): Helmed by Mrinal Sen, Naseer featured in this film alongside actor Om Puri and both played career defining roles.