Naseeruddin Shah Quotes

I approach directing from an actor's standpoint.

When we watch a film as actors, you have to understand that we always see much more than what's on screen.

Acting can be a narrow and isolated experience, because you only examine your particular part.

I demanded two weeks of rehearsal because to me as an actor, that's the most important time.

With any actor, if you know your character well enough, you'll know pretty much what he would say under any circumstance, or whatever situation might rear its head.

When you watch it, you're like, Wow. I look like that. But it doesn't feel like that at all. It was about communicating with Gale Harold and getting across what I wanted to say about the character.

Being an actor really, really strengthens me as a director. There's just a certain type of understanding that comes from having been there and knowing how much is really being asked of actors that helps me.

I live in the energy and rhythm of the character. To some degree, that's true of every actor I've worked with.

As an actor, you work to the script: that's our main priority. But you have to be aware and look around for things that help you bring that little bit extra, that touch of realism that rams the point home.

Your job as an actor is to piece together whatever you've learned in your training, or whatever you have experienced in your life, to piece together a person.

As actors, we often look for the scene, big moments that say, 'This is why you have to do this role.'

In acting, one should look at the film in totality. Improvisations should only be made keeping in mind the limits of a character. Always believe in team work.

The most vital thing for an actor to deliver a great performance is to be honest to the role he or she is playing.

If I wasn't an actor, I never would have known who Debbie Gallagher was. I never would know how her feelings are or how her emotions are, or her family.

As an actor, I'm more interested in characters the longer I have lived with them.

As an actor, you create a character from your understanding of what you have heard and your observations. Eventually, every film is an extension of the images that I have seen or what I have heard or read somewhere.

So much of movie acting is in the lighting. And in loving your characters. I try to know them, and with that intimacy comes love. And now, I love Voldemort.

In acting class, teachers talk about how the 'givens' of a situation help define a character.

I do not use any set methods, not even The Method. The character after all is in the lines.

In choosing any role, I ask the same questions: what kind of part is it? is the role challenging? does the director have a vision? is the story moving? etc.

As an actor, you try to bring as much of yourself to a part to try and create a feeling of authenticity and emotional truth and resonance.

As an actor, one's role is very much to respond and react to the situation within the context of the character and his world.

If you know exactly what your character knows, it's a drama.

I usually don't find myself reacting to my characters. I just create them ... And let the audience decide whether they're empathetic or scared or compelled to cheer me on.

You know, I've never been much of a method actor. I feel like, with every project I go in extremely prepared and I like to have a good time.