Stardom easiest way for actors to get corrupted: Naseeruddin Shah
Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah has no qualms in accepting that he has worked for money in some films but says the more tempting way for an actor to get corrupted is by becoming a star. "You start believing what the press writes about you. That's very dangerous," adds the three-time National Award winner, while talking to the press at an event in Mumbai.
Film quality can't be determined just by reading script: Shah
The 'A Wednesday' actor says, no matter what position one holds in the industry, it's impossible to foresee the heights one can reach before signing a film. "There's no way anyone can ensure what will be the quality of a film when you read a script. You have to go by instincts and do it. Sometimes it goes right and sometimes wrong," he adds.
'I have worked for money and there's no shame'
The actor says in his film career spanning more than four decades, he has taken up films purely "to run the kitchen" and says one should not be ashamed of it. "I have worked for money and there's no shame. I need to run my kitchen. That's what I tell younger actors. Don't be afraid to do things for money," said Naseeruddin.
To support independent films, Naseeruddin worked for free several times
The 68-year-old actor, who started his career featuring in prominent films such as 'Masoom' 'Sparsh', 'Nishant' among others, says he was fortunate to be a part of the movement where independent cinema was thriving and to support it, he has worked for free "several times."
'A lot of times I was promised chicken feed amount'
"I was just an actor these filmmakers used. Some cynical friends used to say they want me in their films because I'm ready to work for free. "On many occasions, I was told there would be no payment. A lot of times I was promised chicken feed amount like Rs. 5,000, Rs. 10,000, which I never got by these so-called serious filmmakers," he adds.
Cut-off ties with people who took everyone for ride: Naseeruddin
The actor, however, continued to work with people he had faith in and cut off ties with those who took everyone for a ride. "I cut off relations with a lot of those filmmakers. That didn't embitter me because at the same time there were people like Shyam (Benegal) who was extremely generous and always very fair to everyone in his unit," he adds.
