FROM A SCIENCE GRADUATE TO A WATCHMAN: THE PHENOMENON NAMED NAWAZUDDIN SIDDIQUE

The world can indulge in ushering praises for the new pin-up boy from tinsel town Varun Dhawan or a Manoj Bajpayee, who steals it all in Gangs of Wasseypur or for that matter an Aamir Khan who latches on to all the accolades for Talaash. One aspect you may have missed in all of these movies is a small person, dark in colour from a rural colony in Budhana in Uttar Pradesh, the name is Nawazuddin Siddique. He may be short but he does not go without delivering a punch. He is dark but you cannot isolate him; that is how enigmatic he is.

A science graduate Nawazuddin and a watchman for a brief while; he has surely taken a liking to Bollywood. He has the potential to make dull, bland roles lively and charismatic. Maybe he is not the conventional Bollywood actor, but he will surprise you every time you think he cannot go beyond these lanes, he finds his way. The fact that he is does not have a Bollywood godfather surprises you even more. His dialogue delivery, the sheer screen presence, and his timings will always have him in the good books of the critics. 

There were times he did not have a bed to lie down, no food to eat, no money to pay-off his rent, this uncharacteristic Bollywood actor has seen it all. From playing cameos, to being ‘the breath of fresh air’ in big budget movies, he has done it all. So what makes him click?

There are many facets he possesses, so in that regard he gives you options. He is not the one dimensional, over-rated actors we see in Bollywood now-a-days. Sometimes, I feel Mr. James must have had Nawaz at the back of his mind while creating 50 Shades of Grey. Well, I apologise for that.

Siddiqui became a household name in 2012, when his acting career peaked, "Gangs of Wasseypur 2” was a breakthrough film for Nawazuddin, which gave him instant stardom and respect among fellow film artists. His first lead role in a feature film was in Prashant Bhargava's Patang, which was premiered at the Berlin Film Festival, for which Nawazuddin's performance has been praised by noted film critic Roger Ebert (awarding the film 4/4 stars), a role which 'transformed his acting style'.  He has collaborated with the critically acclaimed director Anurag Kashyap on multiple occasions.

He was awarded the Special Jury Award at the 60th National Film Awards 2012, for his work in films, Kahaani, Gangs of Wasseypur, Dekh Indian Circus and Talaash. 

In Badlapur as well all film critics spoke highly about Varun, but just ask your heart who was better, and the heart will never lie. Nawazuddin Siddique easily outclassed Varun with his comic timing topped with some sheer acting brilliance. He played a dark character which had ‘god only knows’ how many shades. One just could not take their eyes of this ‘phenomenon’.

As I end this piece, on behalf of Desimartini, I wish Nawazuddin Siddique all the very best for his upcoming films and may he take Indian cinema beyond barriers to explore untouched lanes.