Known for cementing his place in Bollywood, Naseeruddin Shah's game-changing role in Nishant wasn't just given to him because of his stellar acting chops. The fact that the actor was not considered traditionally good looking is what tipped the scales for director, Shyam Benegal, who went on to cast him for the role, according to Times of India.

Shah spoke to author, actor and former teacher Girish Karnad on the opening day of the Jaipur Literature Festival, at the ‘And Then One Day’ session.

Karnad was the director of Film and Television Institute of India in Pune when Nasser studied there and it was he who had suggested Shah’s name to Benegal.

"Due to my looks, I got films like Nishant. Of all my roles, that's the one that's closest to my heart. It's the movie that gave me an identity and paved the way for my journey, that later gave me films like Manthan and Junoon," said the 65-year-old actor.

The official poster for Nishant. - Photo courtesy: moviesandmore.blogspot.com

The Mandi actor went on to say that his looks were a blessing and a curse. He may have gained stardom because of it but he lost certain things as well.

"Sometimes, these looks worked in my favour but not always. Among other things, I also lost my girlfriend, who thought that I was not good-looking enough for Bollywood or her."

Naseeruddin conveys no qualms in admitting that he was not a suitable face for Hindi films at a time when faces like Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra dominated the silver screen.

"I feel disappointed at times for not having excelled in commercial cinema but I have swallowed that like a pinch of salt now. I would not have enjoyed being a chocolate boy anyway."

Even when the actor appeared on The Anupam Kher show, alongside Om Puri, he frankly said: "I knew I didn't have the face of a film star."

Read: Cinema legends Naseeruddin Shah and Om Puri narrate their journey

Shah also reminisced how veteran actor and his Nishant co-star, Shabana Aazmi had jokingly commented on one of their [with Om Puri] old photos, wondering how such ugly men could think of becoming actors. He added that the trick was in having confidence.