Avash News: Many famous artists such as Ghotbeddin Sadeghi, Iraj Rad, Mohammad Motevaselani, Farhang Jolayi, Bijan Shekarriz and cinema critique Azizollah Haji Mashhadi attended the event. Hamideh Banoo Anqa, the wife of the late playwright Akbar Radi, also sent a voice message to show her appreciation.
Ghotbeddin Sadeghi: “Shahrestani a complete and unique actor”
Sadeghi talked about his long friendship and cooperation with Mikaeil Shahrestani. He said: “Shahrestani has strong feelings, deep cultural understanding, and excellent acting skills. Because of this, I wrote several plays—like Sahouri—especially for him.”
He added: “He is the only actor who could perform difficult roles such as Hamlet and Macbeth with full skill. He is one of the most creative and thoughtful actors I know. His advanced techniques make him a complete actor.”
Sadeghi said that many directors do not fully know Shahrestani’s abilities yet. He added: “Because Shahrestani always studies, creates, and grows, he has reached a high artistic level that is hard to repeat.”
He also expressed sadness that Shahrestani has been away from the stage in recent years: “He has built something unique with his inner discipline, inner need, and growing technique.”
Iraj Rad: “He knows and protects the true value of theater”
Iraj Rad described Shahrestani as “a truly theatrical person.” He said: “Theater is very important in human civilization. But many people who work in theater do not add to its value. Instead, sometimes they reduce its value. Shahrestani is different. He knows the real value of theater and protects it.”
He explained that someone working in theater must read, learn, think, and understand all parts of theater—acting, directing, writing, and production. Only then can art influence society.
Rad talked about Shahrestani’s stage and radio works and his cooperation with his students: “The stage may have been small, there may not have been enough support, and publicity was limited. But he continued working with strength. He deserves respect.”
Mohammad Motovasselani: “Love and talent shape Shahrestani’s career”
Motevasselani said: “Mikaeil Shahrestani has two important qualities: love and talent. These two things helped him continue his path despite many difficulties.”
He added: “In many places, the environment does not help artists. Instead, many obstacles appear. Getting through these obstacles is very hard. Shahrestani managed to do it and stay strong.”
Hamideh Banoo Anqa: “You belong to the group of directors who care deeply about language”
In another part of the ceremony, Hamideh Banoo Anqa sent a voice message to honor Shahrestani. She mentioned the ideas of her husband, the late playwright Akbar Radi, the father of modern Iranian drama. She said: “Radi respected directors who cared deeply about language as the most important cultural element. You are from that group.”
Mikaeil Shahrestani: “I chose theater, and I chose to stay in my country”
Mikaeil Shahrestani is a well-known Iranian theater, cinema, and television actor and director. He has performed thousands of radio plays and has directed and acted in many stage productions. Today, he is focused on teaching and training new theater actors.
He explained why he has worked less in cinema: He said he has always been very careful and selective about film roles, and this strong “artistic sensitivity” made him reject many offers. However, he has directed and acted in a large number of radio dramas.
Shahrestani also talked about a film he made about 12 years ago, which, for certain reasons, was only shown in a private screening. He expressed regret that the film never received a public release.
He said that although he had opportunities to move abroad, he chose to stay in Iran. He advised young people to love their homeland, saying: “Patriotism has a high price. But I chose to stay. As long as I breathe in and out, I will continue working.”
