Why Naseeruddin Shah stopped bathing for nearly 2 months for ‘Chakra’

Dubai: Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah once went without bathing for around 1.5 to two months while preparing for his role in the 1981 film ‘Chakra’, according to actor Gulshan Grover.

Recalling the story during an appearance on ‘The Kapil Sharma Show’, Grover said he was amazed when he first heard about Shah’s approach to the character.

Grover, who said he can bathe two to four times a day whenever possible, joked that he could never match Shah’s level of dedication.

“When I was new in movies, I had heard that Naseeruddin Shah, a great actor, didn't take a bath for 1.5-2 months for his film ‘Chakra’. He wanted to be in the character,” Grover said.

He added humorously that fate instead gave him roles in which he was dressed in suits and holding a drink.

Directed by Rabindra Dharmaraj, ‘Chakra’ was released in 1981 and marked his only directorial film. The drama starred Shah alongside Smita Patil and Kulbhushan Kharbanda.

Set against Mumbai’s slums, the film explores poverty and survival through Amma, played by Patil, and her son Benwa, whose life is influenced by petty criminal Lukka, played by Shah.

Decades later, Shah remains active on screen. His recent credits include ‘Assi’ and Imtiaz Ali’s ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’, released in 2026.

His upcoming action thriller ‘Maharagni: Queen of Queens’ stars Naseeruddin Shah alongside Kajol and Prabhu Deva, highlighting the veteran actor’s continued presence in Indian cinema.