Royal Portrayals and Reza Shah’s Command
It was not long before Mohtasham caught the attention of the ruling elite. His stage performances of Persian kings such as Khosrow Parviz and Shah Abbas captivated audiences and reportedly impressed even Reza Shah himself. According to archival reports, Reza Shah once personally summoned Mohtasham after seeing him in the role of a Sasanian king, stating: “You have the bearing of royalty.”
This royal recognition culminated in a peculiar episode in the history of Iranian cinema. In the late 1930s, Iranian officials had financed a film titled Ferdowsi, directed by the legendary Indian filmmaker Ardeshir Irani. The film, produced in India, included a dramatized portrayal of Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni. However, when Reza Shah saw the film, he expressed disappointment with the performance of the actor playing the Sultan. In response, he ordered that the role be reshot and that Nosratollah Mohtasham—then known more for his theater than film—be cast in the part.
This unusual directive led to the re-filming of key scenes in Ferdowsi, now featuring Mohtasham as Sultan Mahmud. It was a pivotal moment that bridged the gap between Iranian theater and cinema and highlighted the immense influence Mohtasham wielded in cultural circles.