By 1360 (1981), Kasbi had left his work in dubbing and radio to focus entirely on film and theater within the Hozeh Honari. His first cinematic collaboration with this institution was the film “Tobeh Nasuh” (Nasuh’s Repentance), directed by Mohsen Makhmalbaf, one of the early cinematic representations of post-revolutionary religious themes. This film marked the beginning of Kasbi’s cinematic career and established his reputation as a serious actor capable of conveying deep moral and emotional complexity.
Film Career and Recognition
Kasbi’s film career flourished throughout the 1980s and 1990s — decades that witnessed the emergence of Iranian cinema as a global artistic phenomenon. Iranian filmmakers, operating under censorship constraints, turned to symbolic and humanistic storytelling. Kasbi’s performances stood out for their sincerity and restraint, qualities that resonated both with domestic audiences and international critics.
His early acclaimed performances include:
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“Baduk” (1991) directed by Majid Majidi, where he played a supporting yet emotionally significant role. The film, which explored child trafficking in southern Iran, received wide recognition and was selected as Iran’s entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards.
