Nawazuddin Siddiqui credits Manoj Bajpayee & Irrfan Khan for breaking stereotypes: 'Even if I get a 40-second role...'

Nawazuddin Siddiqui has carved a place for himself among the legendary actors of Indian cinema, not just for the films he has done, but for the depth and brilliance he brings to every performance. His consistently remarkable work has earned him a well-deserved iconic status over the years. He is often mentioned in the same league as the late Irrfan Khan, who gave Indian cinema some of its finest moments. Nawaz has proven that passion and dedication can help you rise above all odds. In a recent interview, he spoke about arriving in Mumbai with dreams and, despite not fitting the stereotypical hero mould, making his mark, crediting Irrfan Khan and Manoj Bajpayee for paving the way.

Nawazuddin shared that when he arrived in Mumbai, he witnessed how actors like Manoj Bajpayee and Irrfan Khan were already breaking stereotypes. With Satya released, Manoj was redefining norms in Bollywood. Reflecting on their impact, Nawaz said, “Manoj bhai and Irrfan bhai gave us a lot of confidence and hope.”

Nawazuddin Siddiqui shared that while he had no delusions about his looks, he had complete clarity about his abilities as an actor and was confident he would make an impact. “I knew that I had trained myself so well that even if I get a 40-second role, I will be able to make an impact on the audience. I was doing theatre in Delhi, but wasn’t earning enough to survive. I came to Mumbai thinking that I would earn some money, whatever is required for basic survival, by acting in television serials and picking up some bit roles in movies, and along with it, continue to do theatre. Agar kuchh bhi nehi mila toh I would put together a theatre group and do street plays. I just wanted to keep acting and keep honing my craft.”

Nawazuddin Siddiqui has been consistently proving his mettle as an actor with every performance. Audiences are always eager to witness what he brings to the screen next. His recent film Costao earned critical acclaim, further solidifying his status as a legendary performer. With several exciting projects in the pipeline, Nawaz is currently busy shooting for several projects. He will next be seen in Maddock Films’ horror-comedy Thama, starring alongside Rashmika Mandanna and Ayushmann Khurrana, raising expectations for yet another iconic performance.