Naseeruddin Shah Family Tree: The Story Behind India's Parallel Cinema Master

Naseeruddin Shah, born 20 July 1949 in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, India, is one of India's most-acclaimed character actors — 3 National Film Awards for Best Actor (Sparsh 1979, Paar 1984, Iqbal 2005); Padma Shri (1987), Padma Bhushan (2003).

The Family's Roots: A UP Muslim Family

The Shah family is from Barabanki, UP, with Persian-Afghan ancestry.

His Parents

Father: Aley Mohammed Shah — Indian Civil Services officer.

Mother: Farrukh Sultan — homemaker.

His Brothers

Zameer Shah — Naseeruddin's elder brother.

Zaheer Shah — Naseeruddin's elder brother; Indian Army officer.

His First Wife: Manara Sikri / Parveen Murad

Manara Sikri, briefly Naseeruddin's first wife in 1969–70 (married very young).

Daughter with Manara

Heeba Shah, born 1971 — daughter; theatre actress.

His Wife: Ratna Pathak

Ratna Pathak Shah, born 18 March 1957 — Bollywood actress (Sarabhai vs Sarabhai; Lipstick Under My Burkha); sister of Supriya Pathak. Married Naseeruddin on 1 April 1982.

Their Sons

Imaad Shah, born 1987 — son; actor (Dil Dosti Etc.).

Vivaan Shah, born 9 July 1990 — son; actor (Saat Khoon Maaf, Happy New Year).

The Shah Family Tree at a Glance

Father: Aley Mohammed Shah — ICS officer.

Mother: Farrukh Sultan.

Brothers: Zameer Shah; Zaheer Shah — army officer.

First Wife: Manara Sikri (briefly 1969–70).

Daughter: Heeba Shah (b. 1971).

Wife: Ratna Pathak (b. 18 March 1957; m. 1 April 1982).

Sons: Imaad Shah (b. 1987); Vivaan Shah (b. 9 July 1990).

Naseeruddin Shah:

  • Born 20 July 1949, Barabanki
  • St. Anselm's, Ajmer; Aligarh Muslim University (BA Arts); FTII Pune (1973–75)
  • National School of Drama; Theatre Group (Bombay)
  • Debut: Nishant (1975)
  • Major films: Aakrosh (1980), Sparsh (1979 — National Award), Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyun Aata Hai (1980), Mandi (1983), Paar (1984 — National Award), Masoom (1983), Mirch Masala (1985), Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983), Pestonjee (1987), Mohra (1994), Sarfarosh (1999), Iqbal (2005 — National Award), A Wednesday! (2008), The Dirty Picture (2011), Maqbool (2003)
  • Padma Shri: 1987; Padma Bhushan: 2003

What the Shah Family Story Teaches Us

A ICS-officer father. A homemaker mother. Two brothers. A first brief marriage with a daughter who became a theatre actress. A second 40+ year marriage with two actor sons. A career with 3 National Awards.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Naseeruddin story carries the same lesson. Some families produce three actors across two generations.

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