Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak Shah stand as one of the most celebrated and impactful couples in Indian cinema. Their marriage has thrived despite their divergent professional journeys. During a recent panel discussion at the FICCI Flo Hyderabad event, Ratna spoke about the camaraderie, mutual respect, and shared passion for their craft that have sustained their relationship over the years.

Naseeruddin and Ratna Pathak Shah's friendship as the foundation

Ratna reminisced about the roots of their enduring friendship, describing it as an incredible and enjoyable experience. She emphasized that the most precious aspect of their relationship is the friendship that has persisted, even when she initially doubted the possibility of forming such a bond in a closely-knit environment. Their collaboration in their work marked the beginning of their friendship, and she fully supports gatherings of professionals in their field. This connection serves as a valuable source of mutual support and the exploration of common interests.

The esteemed actor acknowledged the unique challenges that arise from sharing the same industry, especially when career paths diverge. She recognized that professional journeys are not always straightforward, noting that "circumstances can favor one individual more than the other," among other complexities.

Ratna highlighted that being married to a friend can help mitigate these challenges, as it allows for the discovery of common ground, underscoring how their friendship has been instrumental in navigating their differences.

Ratna Pathak Shah's admiration for Naseeruddin Shah's craft

Ratna Pathak Shah has expressed her admiration for Naseeruddin's generous nature and unwavering commitment to his craft. As both an actor and director, she values his complete focus on his work, noting that he is an exceptionally kind and supportive collaborator. In his role as a director, he plays a crucial part in helping each member of his cast realize their full potential. This is a quality that she finds both admirable and frustrating. Ratna often wishes she could match his level of dedication to acting, though she acknowledges that she falls short. Despite her occasional envy, she has come to terms with the fact that his professional commitments take precedence.

Their latest theatrical collaboration, Old World by Arghya Lahiri, received widespread acclaim, and they continue to perform together. Recently, Naseeruddin and Ratna appeared in Sonu Sood's directorial debut, Fateh, and the short film Flying Taxi, respectively.

Collaborations across decades

Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak Shah have collaborated on several films, including Mandi, Encounter: The Killing, Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na, Paheli, and Mirch Masala, among others.

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