“Shakespeare is a seminal story-teller. I don't think he imagined he was writing classics or that he was writing great poetry. I don't think he dreamt his work would be staged 400 years after he died.”

Indian actor, mainly in Hindi films

Naseeruddin Shah is an Indian actor, active mainly in Hindi films, and a major figure in Indian cinema. He has worked across the parallel cinema movement and has also appeared in international productions. Known for a long and varied career, Shah has received several major honours, including three National Film Awards, three Filmfare Awards and the Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival. The Government of India awarded him the Padma Shri in 1987 and the Padma Bhushan in 2003 for his contribution to Indian cinema.