Naseeruddin Shah On Telling Javed Akhtar That Sholay Copied Chaplin, Eastwood Films: 'Originality Is When...'

Actor-filmmaker Naseeruddin Shah recently opened up about an intriguing conversation he had with legendary screenwriter Javed Akhtar regarding the concept of originality in cinema. Shah recalled pointing out to Akhtar that his iconic 1975 film Sholay, co-written with Salim Khan, drew heavily from the works of Charlie Chaplin and Clint Eastwood.

“I remember telling Javed Akhtar, ‘You’ve copied every scene, from Charlie Chaplin’s films to Clint Eastwood. His influence is evident in every frame,’” Shah shared during an appearance at IFP Season 14. Akhtar’s response, however, offered a fresh perspective on originality. He said, “Something can be called original when you can’t find its source. It’s not about where you’ve taken references from, but how far you’ve taken it.”

Shah, reflecting on this, said that defining originality is not easy. “Even William Shakespeare, considered one of the greatest playwrights, was known to borrow from older works. But the originality lay in how he presented them,” Shah added.

Shah, known for his impressive work in both parallel cinema and commercial hits, spoke about the filmmakers he admires, including Mrinal Sen, Basu Chatterjee, Satyajit Ray, Anurag Kashyap, and Vikramaditya Motwane. He also expressed his thoughts on today’s cinema landscape, calling it “grim” while noting that directors like Anubhav Sinha and Vikramaditya Motwane continue to make films they believe in.

The actor, who has ventured into directing with his short film Man Woman Man Woman, revealed that the film, featuring his wife Ratna Pathak Shah and son Vivaan Shah, explores love and companionship across generations. It was screened at IFP and received praise for its unique perspective.

Shah also shared that he enjoys doing cameos in his later years, as it brings him enjoyment. “I don’t have to hanker for great roles anymore; I’ve done my share. I’m happy doing cameos that don’t require much effort,” he said.

Directed by Ramesh Sippy, Sholay has become one of the most revered Indian films of all time. Combining elements from Spaghetti Westerns popularized by Clint Eastwood and Samurai cinema, the film featured a stellar ensemble cast including Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Sanjeev Kumar, Hema Malini, Jaya Bhaduri, and Amjad Khan.