Ratna Pathak Shah reveals what she 'loves, hates, and tolerates' about husband Naseeruddin Shah

Ratna Pathak Shah and Naseeruddin Shah recently graced the grand stage of the 77th Cannes Film Festival for the screening of Naseeruddin’s film 'Manthan'. During the appearance, Ratna was asked about what she loves, hates, and tolerates about her husband. Her response was remarkably candid.

While talking to Brut India about these three aspects, she said that she loves his deep involvement with acting. She can love, hate, and tolerate all three of them. Largely, love because it’s a very special feature.

She further added that Naseeruddin never gets bothered by anything other than his performance and working towards it. She found it to be a unique attitude that she had not seen in others. However, she admits that it is also hard to live with.

The couple has been married for 42 years, and they first met in 1975 during the rehearsal of Satyadev Dubey’s play 'Sambhog se Sanyas Tak'. Earlier in an interview with NDTV, Naseeruddin Shah said that great romances of theater begin at a rehearsal.


Ratna Pathak Shah and Naseeruddin Shah first met at a juice stall outside Mumbai’s National College. While Naseer felt an immediate connection, Ratna was initially indifferent. However, during the rehearsals for the play, Ratna eventually fell for him. Reflecting on their relationship, Ratna humorously told the Indian Express that the play's title, 'Sambhog se Sanyas Tak', aptly represents their life together, noting that only the final stage of renunciation remains.

They dated each other for six years and exchanged vows in 1982. It is Naseeruddin Shah’s second marriage, as he was earlier married to Manara Sikri, aka Parveen Murad. They had a daughter, Heeba Shah. Shah and Ratna have two children, Vivaan and Imaad Shah.

Get the latest entertainment updates from the Times of India, along with the latest Hindi movies, upcoming Hindi movies in 2026 , and Telugu movies.”