“Before my Bollywood debut, I struggled for 10 years,” Nawazuddin Siddiqui reveals
New Delhi : The latest episode of ‘In the Ring with Filmfare,’ now streaming on Filmfare’s YouTube channel, features a candid conversation with the talented actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui. Hosted by Jitesh Pillai, Editor-in-Chief of Filmfare, this insightful talk show offers in-depth and unfiltered conversations with the brightest stars of the film and OTT world. Recorded before a live audience, the show boasts a unique and engaging atmosphere that brings viewers closer to their favourite celebrities.
In a candid conversation with the host, Nawazuddin Siddiqui shares insights into his early life struggles, personal learnings, and relationships with co-workers. He shares the challenges he faced on his journey to becoming a successful actor and reflects on valuable life lessons he has learned over the years. Additionally, he sheds light on the dark characters he plays, how he relates to them, and their impact on him off-screen. Nawazuddin also discusses the special bond he shares with his children, offering a heartfelt glimpse into his role as a father.
Reflecting on his early life struggles, Nawazuddin shares, “Before my Bollywood debut, I struggled for 10 years. During my time at the National School of Drama, I took on various roles and learned invaluable lessons. Transitioning from a theatre artist to the silver screen taught me that to truly love any art, especially cinema, you need to develop a deep appreciation for it. ”
Speaking about his father, Nawazuddin highlights the fatherly bond, “Coming from a farming background, I learned the value of hard work early on. From the age of 14, I would wake up early to help my father. When I moved away for further studies, he would carry groceries on his shoulders, changing two or three buses just to meet me and provide essentials. It wasn’t until he was gone that I truly appreciated his efforts. His struggle and absence have always motivated me to fill the void and fulfill his dreams.”
He continues, “I haven’t always been there to see my kids grow up steadily due to my work, but I’m glad we can meet whenever we want to. My 14-year-old daughter is now pursuing a career in cinema. She simply informs me of her decisions, without having to ask me any questions. As a father, it’s a relief to see my kids thinking for themselves independently.”
Talking about his bond with director Anurag Kashyap, Nawazuddin reveals, “Anurag is like an elder brother to me. He’s my support system and always steps in when my performance isn’t up to the mark.”
On his camaraderie with his co-actors, Nawazuddin shares, “I share a strong bond with Vijay Raaz and Rajpal Yadav, and I had a close friendship with Irrfan Khan. We are good friends who celebrate victories and discuss shortcomings. I can’t remember ever feeling envious or having hard feelings towards them.”
Stream the entertaining and insightful episode of In the Ring with Filmfare featuring Nawazuddin Siddiqui on Filmfare’s YouTube channel now!