Nawazuddin Siddiqui, once lost in the crowd, is now a celebrated star. With eight films making it to Cannes, he stood in the spotlight at the Cinevesture International Film Festival.
Rather than praise himself, Nawazuddin focused on Payal Kapadia’s ‘All We Imagine As Light,’ saying it made India shine. From ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’ to ‘The Lunchbox,’ his films have left a global impact.
He recalled his early struggles, taking small roles and living with four aspiring actors. Recognition came with ‘Gangs of Wasseypur 2,’ where he was welcomed as a hero in his village.
Now, with upcoming films like ‘Raat Akeli Hai 2,’ he chooses roles based on depth and complexity. He played both Balasaheb Thackeray and Saadat Hasan Manto, proving an actor should embrace all challenges.
At CIFF, he wowed audiences with dialogues from Girish Karnad’s ‘Tughlaq.’ To him, cinema is more about subtext than just loud dialogue. He believes change is the only constant in the industry.
Battling stereotypes, Nawazuddin accepts himself as he is. “Millions look like me; Hrithik Roshan is unconventional,” he quipped. His journey proves that true talent always finds its place.