Advertisement
Having risen from an actor who began his career with small bits in various films, Nawazuddin Siddiqui has clearly reached a point where he has shown not only his versatility but also the ability to hold films on his own. The actor, who will be seen playing writer Saadat Hasan Manto and late Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray in separate films, says he’s done with cameos.
Here for his film Manto“, which features in the Cannes Film Festival’s Un Certain Regard section, Nawazuddin was all praise for the film’s director Nandita Das’ impeccable research.
He shies away from naming a favourite director or even sharing his wish list.
Advertisement
“If I take names, the others will feel bad about it. As an actor, I only look at stories, script and most importantly my character in the film. There is also a selfishness that works and I think it’s quite normal that I look for characters that will challenge me and push me to the limits,” Nawazuddin told this correspondent.
He is clear that there is no room for any more cameo appearances for him.”No, I will not do it anymore (laughs). It’s as simple as that, why will I do them? I am done with my quota of small roles,” he said.
Nawazuddin is also venturing into production, taking on projects such as Manto as a co-producer.”There are some upcoming films that I am co-producing as well. My brother is very much into this doing the scouting for me. I definitely want to produce films as well,” he said.
He rules out exploring foreign shores for roles, saying he is content with India and the diversity of roles he is getting to do. “For the time being, I am satisfied that all my directors in India are giving me characters that are pretty challenging and I am happy doing those.
“Just for the sake of a branding that I am an international star, I would not do that. How many films in the world are like ‘Manto’? Very few. So, I have no such predetermined affiliation for international projects. I am proud of Nandita and a film like this is no way less than any international film.”
On him getting typecast, Nawazuddin said: “I think it’s completely a wrong conception. If I am doing (playing) Bal Thackeray and Manto at the same time, how can one say that I am typecast? The Bollywood heroes are typecast, they do the same thing all their life and they are never asked these questions.”
“Now the films made in India are allowing actors like us to step in the shoes of lead characters and that makes us versatile. So, those who are still doing this (stretches his hand) are typecast, not me,” he said.
The heavy downpour that accompanied the interview perhaps reflected the emotional response of the viewers to Manto at the screening here in Cannes.
The actor says the period film clearly touched a chord with the audience at Cannes.
“I have seen people crying in the audience, there were people who came out with a very satisfied face. And the best part was I think the film has tried to hit the conscience of people very hard. There were many who came up to me and said that the film was very well timed,” Nawazuddin said.