Ratna Pathak Shah on struggling to get work during early years: ‘Naseeruddin Shah was part of half the projects but nothing came my way’

Ratna Pathak Shah opened up on challenges she faced during her early days in the film industry and how her husband Naseeruddin Shah's success did not pave the way for substantial roles in her career.

By: Entertainment Desk

Chennai | October 16, 2023 10:59 AM IST

3 min read

Ratna Pathak Shah opened up on career struggle during early days in film industry. (Pic: Ratna/Instagram)

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Ratna Pathak Shah‘s recent role as a biker nani in the film Dhak Dhak has garnered attention. In a previous interview, the actress shared that she learned to ride a bike at the age of 65 for this role. While she is enjoying the diversity of roles she’s been offered in recent years, Ratna revealed that she didn’t have many opportunities during her younger days.

In a recent interview with Humans Of Bombay, Ratna discussed the lack of roles for her when she was younger and revealed that though her husband Naseeruddin Shah was part of many successful projects, it didn’t lead to her bagging major roles.

She said, “I was expecting to get some work in movies. Everyone used to sit in my drawing room and talk about this or that movie being put together, all kinds of discussions because Naseer was in half of them. That was part of everyday situation at home. But I didn’t get work and that did surprise me. And this time period was long because I went to the National School of Drama and came back in 1982 and there was absolutely nothing coming my way.”

Ratna also spoke about how she got a small role in Shyam Benegal’s critically acclaimed film Mandi. She said, “I did a couple of films, including Shyam Benegal’s Mandi, but I think he did it as a favour. Naseer and I just got married and Naseer was supposed to leave me for two months and work on this film. So, Shayam said, ‘Okay you also come.’ But I have a blink-and-miss role in the film. But I enjoyed it. I didn’t have an ego. But the meaty parts, they parts I would have liked to do didn’t come to me and it did bother me.”

Also read | Ratna Pathak Shah demands good role for Dada Saheb Phalke Award winner Waheeda Rehman: ‘They give her a little award and stick her in one corner’

In recent years, Ratna has been a part of many memorable films, including Lipstick Under My Burkha, Khoobsurat, Kapoor & Sons, Jayeshbhai Jordaar, Trial By Fire and more. Her latest film Dhak Dhak, which also stars Fatima Sana Shaikh, Dia Mirza, and Sanjana Sanghi, is currently running in theaters.

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