When Naseeruddin Shah was young and starting out his career, the actor was prepared for "a long hard struggle", aware of the odds he was against but hopeful for a fruitful pay off. The actor made a name for himself in what was referred to as the 'parallel cinema' in the 70s and 80s, headlining off-beat films and collaborating with mostly young and new directors.

"I never felt any despair because I didn't expect success to come easily," Shah told PTI, reflecting on what he felt when he began acting. "I was prepared for a long hard struggle. I was also not willing to admit defeat easily. The thought of failure didn't even occur to me, even though I knew the odds I was battling."