Naseeruddin Shah responds to health inquiry: “Investigations On”

Sadly, two national treasures from the Indian film industry Dilip Kumar and Naseeruddin Shah found themselves in hospital simultaneously this week. This is Dilip Saab’s second visit to the hospital in a month. At 98 he is at a precarious juncture of his life.

Naseeruddin Shah on the other hand is a sprightly 70, still a long way to go. As someone who has known him for decades I was immediately concerned.

When I reached out to Naseer Saab asking if he has been hospitalized he replied, “Patch on the lung, investigations on. Thanks for your good wishes.”

In May 2020 there were rumours of another health scare for Naseer Saab. When I had connected with him, one of the most straight-talking artistes and undoubtedly the most brilliant actor since Dilip Kumar, told me the health issues were all the inventions of media stormers out to get hits by hook or crook.

In May 2010 there was another exaggerated health scare. When I had asked Naseer Saab about his health his reply was characteristically wry. “The alarming reports about my health were fictitious. It was nothing serious. Just a bout of vertigo. It was troublesome. I had to get a scan done. So I was flown from Coorg where I was shooting to Bangalore. Some of the reportage about my health seems more wishful than sympathetic.”