Naseeruddin Shah on J.R.D. Tata: The one question he'd ask the legend
Synopsis
Naseeruddin Shah, playing J.R.D. Tata in 'Made in India: A Titan Story', says the one thing he'd ask the industrialist is how he kept faith in people like Xerxes Desai before results were visible. It's a question that reveals as much about Shah's own fascination with leadership as it does about the Tata legend itself.
Key Takeaways
Naseeruddin Shah portrays J.R.D.
Tata in the web series 'Made in India: A Titan Story' , which premiered on 3 June 2025 .
Shah says he would ask J.R.D. how he maintained unwavering faith in associates like Xerxes Desai when outcomes were uncertain.
The series is directed by Robbie Grewal and adapted from Vinay Kamath 's book on the Titan brand.
Jim Sarbh leads the cast, alongside Vaibhav Tatwawadi , Namita Dubey , and Lakshvir Saran .
The show streams for free on Amazon MX Player across multiple platforms including Jio TV and Airtel Xstream .
Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah, who portrays late industrialist J.R.D. Tata in the recently released web series 'Made in India: A Titan Story', has revealed the single question he would most want to ask the Tata patriarch if given the chance — and it cuts to the heart of what made J.R.D. a singular leader.
The Question Shah Would Ask
Shah said he would ask J.R.D. Tata how he sustained unwavering faith in the people around him, particularly Xerxes Desai, across decades when outcomes were far from guaranteed. In his own words, Shah said: 'I would ask him how he managed to maintain such unwavering faith in people, especially Xerxes Desai, over decades when the outcome was far from certain. What fascinates me is his ability to back not just an idea, but the people behind it, giving them the confidence and freedom to pursue something ambitious.'
Shah added that he is captivated by J.R.D.'s instinct to stand by individuals even before results materialised — a quality he described as rare in any era of business leadership.
What Draws Shah to J.R.D.'s Leadership
The actor noted that J.R.D. Tata's leadership style — backing people with unconventional ideas and granting them the courage to attempt the seemingly impossible — is what makes the role compelling to inhabit. Shah elaborated: 'Made in India - A Titan Story captures this beautifully through his belief in Xerxes and the larger vision of building a world-class Indian brand. I would love to understand whether that trust came from instinct, experience, or a deeply held leadership philosophy, and how he knew when to stand by people even when the results were not yet visible.'
About the Series
Directed by Robbie Grewal, 'Made in India: A Titan Story' is a cinematic adaptation of Vinay Kamath's book 'Titan: Inside India's Most Successful Consumer Brand'. The series features Jim Sarbh in the lead role, with Vaibhav Tatwawadi, Namita Dubey, and Lakshvir Saran in supporting parts.
Where to Watch
The series premiered on 3 June 2025 and is currently streaming for free exclusively on Amazon MX Player, available across mobile devices, Connected TVs, Amazon's shopping app, Prime Video, Fire TV, Jio TV, and Airtel Xstream. With its wide distribution footprint, the show has been positioned for broad accessibility across Indian audiences.
Point of View
Not market research. Whether the series does justice to that nuance, or settles for biographical spectacle, will determine its lasting value beyond the promotional cycle.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Made in India: A Titan Story' about?
'Made in India: A Titan Story' is a web series that chronicles the founding and rise of Titan, one of India's most recognised consumer brands. It is adapted from Vinay Kamath's book 'Titan: Inside India's Most Successful Consumer Brand' and is directed by Robbie Grewal.
Who does Naseeruddin Shah play in the series?
Naseeruddin Shah portrays late industrialist J.R.D. Tata in the series. He has spoken about being fascinated by J.R.D.'s leadership philosophy, particularly his ability to back people with unconventional ideas before outcomes were visible.
What question would Naseeruddin Shah ask J.R.D. Tata?
Shah says he would ask J.R.D. Tata how he maintained unwavering faith in people like Xerxes Desai over decades when results were far from certain — and whether that trust came from instinct, experience, or a deeply held leadership philosophy.
Where can viewers watch 'Made in India: A Titan Story'?
The series is available for free on Amazon MX Player, accessible via mobile devices, Connected TVs, Amazon's shopping app, Prime Video, Fire TV, Jio TV, and Airtel Xstream. It premiered on 3 June 2025.
Who else stars in 'Made in India: A Titan Story'?
Jim Sarbh leads the cast, with Vaibhav Tatwawadi, Namita Dubey, and Lakshvir Saran in supporting roles, among others.
