Naseeruddin Shah: “Dubai is a beautiful mirage that is real”

The Indian cinema heavyweight offered a heartfelt tribute to the UAE's land, people and rulers, picking up a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF).

Indian actor Naseeruddin Shah at the opening of Dubai International Film Festival. Reuters

Indian acting legend Naseeruddin Shah offered a heartfelt tribute to the UAE’s land, people and rulers, addressing fans at the Dubai International Film Festival.

The 66-year-old cinema heavyweight picked up a Lifetime Achievement Award at the festival’s opening ceremony on Wednesday, December 9, using his acceptance speech to shower praise on the UAE’s “corruption-free” governance, and share happy memories of visiting the emirates over the years.

“I first visited the UAE in 1980 – 35 years ago – I came here to participate in shooting a film in Sharjah and Dubai,” Shah told invited guests, at the Madinat Jumeirah event.

“To give you an idea of the extremely organised nature of some of our popular Hindi movies, we shot for 45 days – and managed to complete one scene. “But the 45 days was wonderful to spend here.”

The cast and crew stayed in the Holiday Inn Sharjah – which was “the only hotel in Sharjah, and apart from the Gold Souk, the only big building,” joked Shah.

“Since then I’ve been to both cities [Dubai and Sharjah] many times, and every time I see them closer to achieving their goal of becoming capitals of the world. “It’s no longer a mirage in the desert – but a beautiful mirage that is real.”

Shah was one of four celebrities granted Diff’s highest honour, with Egyptian icon Ezzat Al Alayli and French screen heroine Catherine Deneuve both also taking to the stage to accept Lifetime Achievement Awards. Tunisian actor Sami Bouajila was also honoured in absence.

Deneuve thanked organisers for a “very special award. It’s a great honour, I’m very pleased to be at the festival”, said the 72-year-old in a short speech.

But it was Shah who had the last laugh. “I would like to express my appreciation for this [award],” he added, taking the trophy to loud applause. “Although it does feel a bit like someone is saying ‘We’ve had enough – take this and go away’.

“But I’m not going anywhere, and I hope in another 20 years to be back for another lifetime achievement award.”

• Watch Naseeruddin Shah in Waiting, a film by Anu Menon, at 10.15pm on Friday, December 11, at Madinat Theatre; and at 9.15pm on Saturday, December 12, at the Mall of the Emirates. For more information, visit www.dubaifilmfest.com