Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah has revealed that he has turned down several lifetime achievement awards, saying he has no intention of slowing down his acting career, reports Hindustan Times.
The 76-year-old actor made the remarks at the success celebration of Main Vaapas Aaunga in Mumbai on Friday.
The film, directed by Imtiaz Ali, recently completed 50 days in theatres and has emerged as both a critical and commercial success.
Speaking at the event, Shah explained why he does not accept lifetime achievement honours.
“I have been offered several lifetime achievement awards recently, and I said no. Lifetime achievement awards are a way of saying your work is done. I have no intention of taking one and leaving. That’s why I don’t accept these awards. I don’t think my job is done,” he said.
The multiple National Award-winning actor also expressed gratitude for the audience’s response to the film.
“I feel very fortunate to have been a part of this film, and I’m extremely proud of it. Thank you all for the support you have given,” he added.
Naseeruddin Shah began his acting career in the mid-1970s through India’s parallel cinema movement before establishing himself in mainstream Hindi films with Hum Paanch.
Over the years, he has starred in acclaimed films such as Karma, Jalwa and Malaamal.
He won the National Film Award for Best Actor for Sparsh (1979) and Paar (1984), while Iqbal earned him the Best Supporting Actor honour in 2005.
The veteran actor has recently received widespread praise for his performances in Main Vaapas Aaunga and the Amazon MX Player series Made in India, in which he portrayed industrialist J.R.D. Tata.
Produced by Birla Studios, Applause Entertainment and Window Seat Films, Main Vaapas Aaunga also stars Diljit Dosanjh, Sharvari and Vedang Raina.
Set against the backdrop of the Partition, the drama follows 95-year-old Ishar Singh Grewal (Naseeruddin Shah), whose attempt to return to his birthplace in present-day Pakistan triggers long-buried family memories.
His grandson Nirvair, played by Diljit Dosanjh, returns from England to uncover the family’s hidden past.
After opening to positive reviews, the film gained momentum through strong word of mouth and is expected to finish its theatrical run with a worldwide gross of around ₹100 crore.
