Naseeruddin Shah, known for his outspoken nature, once attempted to prevent Sanjeev Kumar from being cast as Mirza Ghalib, a role Shah himself coveted. This occurred when Gulzar, the acclaimed writer-poet, planned a biopic on the 19th-century poet Mirza Ghalib and considered Sanjeev Kumar for the lead.
During an appearance at the Kerala Literature Festival, Shah recounted this anecdote from his student days at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune. He learned that Gulzar was planning a film on Ghalib with Sanjeev Kumar, an actor Shah admired but felt had become complacent after achieving success. This news "infuriated" Shah, prompting him to write a letter to Gulzar expressing his strong disagreement with the casting choice.
In the letter, Shah argued that Sanjeev Kumar was a poor fit for the role because he couldn't speak Urdu fluently. Shah boldly stated that he was the actor Gulzar was looking for. He even enclosed a photograph of himself with the letter, costing him ₹5, a significant amount at the time. Shah recalled telling Gulzar in the letter: "Don't cast Sanjeev Kumar, he can't speak Urdu".
However, fate intervened. Gulzar never received the letter, and the film project was eventually shelved after Sanjeev Kumar fell ill. Many years later, in the late 1980s, Gulzar decided to create a television series on Mirza Ghalib. This time, he approached Naseeruddin Shah to play the lead role. Shah was astonished and gladly accepted the offer.
Gulzar recalled that he first noticed Shah in a diploma film at FTII and felt he possessed the depth for the role. However, when Gulzar proposed Shah's name to the producer, he was advised to choose a more "handsome" actor. Gulzar insisted that he needed a good actor and refused to budge.
According to Gulzar, matters became complicated when Shah demanded a higher fee. During a meeting with the producer, Shah reminded Gulzar of the letter he had written as a student, saying that Sanjeev Kumar couldn't play Ghalib because "Ghalib wasn't fat" and that Gulzar should wait for him. Shah insisted he would not accept a penny less than his asking price and would not let anyone else play the role.
Gulzar was impressed by Shah's conviction, stating that he saw "Ghalib" in Shah's attitude. He praised Shah's versatility, citing his performances in films like Pestonjee, Sparsh, and Mirza Ghalib.
The television series Mirza Ghalib, aired on Doordarshan in 1988, became a critical and popular success. Written and directed by Gulzar, it featured soulful ghazals by Jagjit Singh and Chitra Singh. The cast included Tanvi Azmi and Neena Gupta. The series is still considered one of the most celebrated portrayals of the poet's life.
Naseeruddin Shah's portrayal of Mirza Ghalib introduced him to the depth of Urdu poetry. He said that the role marked the beginning of his true education in Urdu. For Shah, playing Ghalib was more than just a role; it was the realization of a dream and a testament to the power of speaking one's mind.
