Shabana Azmi, a stalwart in Bollywood, is known for fearlessly expressing her opinions. Over the years, she has consistently grabbed headlines for her outspoken nature. In this throwback story, discover a moment when acclaimed actors Naseeruddin Shah and Om Puri shared an intriguing comment they received from Shabana Azmi on a photograph. Scroll down to unravel the details. During an episode of Anupam Kher’s talk show, ‘The Anupam Kher Show’, legendary actors Naseeruddin Shah and Om Puri candidly shared an incident where Shabana Azmi referred to them as ‘badshakal’ (ugly). Despite starting their careers with diverse films, these iconic stars have made an indelible and unbeatable contribution to the Hindi film industry, solidifying their status as legends in the field. Naseeruddin Shah and Om Puri reminisced about an incident during their National School of Drama (NSD) days on The Anupam Kher Show. Shabana Azmi had reportedly labeled them ‘ugly’ and questioned their audacity to pursue acting, saying, ‘Do itne badshakal insaan, kaise yeh jurrat kar sakte hain actor banne ki? Himmat kaise hui tumhari yahan aane ki? (How can two such ugly people dare to dream of becoming actors? How dare you come here?)’ During a later conversation on The Anupam Kher Show, Naseeruddin Shah openly admitted to struggling with a complex about his looks, especially during the period dominated by iconic figures like Shatrughan Sinha and Amitabh Bachchan. This revelation provides insight into the prevailing industry standards and the challenges actors encountered concerning their appearance in that era. Naseeruddin Shah reflected, stating, ‘They were not just pretty faces; they had the gravitas to play character roles as well. I knew I didn’t look like a film star, but I could live with it. I realized I had the advantage of changing my face. As for handsomeness, you are as handsome as you feel. It’s a question of confidence.’ This insight highlights the actor’s perspective on the industry’s standards and the importance of self-confidence. Despite the initial comment about his looks, Shabana Azmi collaborated with Naseeruddin Shah in notable films like Masoom, Sparsh, Mandi, and Nishant, showcasing their professionalism and commitment to their craft. This intriguing journey from an initial remark to successful collaborations reflects the complexity and camaraderie within the world of cinema.