Rasika Dugal: Nasirsaab is also a great artist and an excellent teacher

Actress Rasika Duggal has studied acting at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune. Naseeruddin Shah used to come to this institute as a visiting professor to teach acting lessons to the novices. Remembering these things of the past, Rasika Dugle asked what Naseeruddin Shah was like as a teacher. Have remembered his memoirs. Naseeruddin Shah is famous for his acting. This artist has taught some valuable lessons as a teacher, it is very interesting.

Rasika recalls, "We were thrilled when Nasir Saab took the time to teach us acting lessons. It is rare for an actor to be active in work when it comes to teaching students. Nasir Saab is the best as an actor. But even as a teacher he is unparalleled. Acting and education are two very different things, but they were noble in both. He is a great artist and a very focused teacher. '

Speaking about Naseeruddin Shah's teaching process and the impact it had on him as a student, the actress said, "He has set a process and he follows it with us. We have many workshops with them throughout the year. Such a workshop is one of fifteen days. This pattern he has devised. You will not find such a process in any book. In front of them every student is nervous and we are all eager to spend our maximum time with them. We were ready to receive more and more from them. '

Rasika further says, 'Some of the things I learned in the workshop with him are basically in my style. I have learned from them that you should never teach your co-star. Yes, you need to accept whatever it has to offer. Suppose a co-star changes his line or says that this is different, then you should not stop him and say, 'Hey, you have spoken the wrong line. You have to accept what he offers in that scene. When someone throws something new at you and you accept it, there is nothing else to give and accept. In addition, it is not your responsibility, but the director's responsibility to decide how to control the scene. You need to be alert then. It's very easy to say, but very difficult for you to implement. '

After being quiet for a while, Rasika goes on to say, "Nasirsaab once said in class that if you really want to hear your co-star in a scripted scene, you should also learn the lines of others." At that time he gave some instructions. However when I started working I understood that instruction. I made a short film with him, which was my first professional interaction. I met him for the first time in Mumbai after FTII. Everything that happened on set was very interesting. He asked me, do you remember the lines? I said, sir, I remember you too. They laughed too because they taught us this. They are eager to teach and to be constantly updated for their information. They read and listened to his speech in many languages.

In addition to being an excellent actor, Naseeruddin Shah is a very socially conscious actor. Rasika firmly believes that they are clear about what is on their minds and that the same thing is very inspiring. Listening has become his lifelong learning. Rasika says, they say whatever is on their mind, 'This is their best quality, I think.

If anyone else has the same quality, it is Nandita Das. I had the opportunity to work with him in ‘Manto’. They do not believe in anyone ascending or descending. They treat everyone equally and honestly.