Nawazuddin-amithabh
Joginder Tuteja (DNA; August 20, 2015)

If you can act like Nawazuddin Siddiqui, have a believable approach towards acting and can look much younger, look no further. There is an acting opportunity waiting for you, and that too, opposite Amitabh Bachchan.

The film in question is 102 Not Out, set to go on floors later this year. While director Umesh Shukla has already brought Big B and Paresh Rawal on board, the hunt is on for a youngster who, in the director’s own words, has to be a ‘younger version of Nawazuddin Siddiqui’.

“The film, based on a Gujarati play by the same name, tells the story of a 102-year-old man (to be played by Amitabh Bachchan), who wants to break the record of being the oldest person in the world. He is supported by his 75-year-old son (to be played by Paresh Rawal). Other than these two men, a young actor also plays an integral part of the film. Since Big B and Paresh are such powerful performers, the young actor needs to be really reliable, and someone who can manage on his own in their presence,” informs our source.

While the immediate reference point was Nawazuddin Siddiqui, he wasn’t in contention since he is 41. However, the reference being made, is keeping in mind his acting talent and personality. “Yes, we are looking at someone like him, but younger,” says Shukla, “Of course, there is no dearth of 20-21-year-olds who want to be actors. But many of them come with the same kind of personality. I am not looking at someone muscular or beefy. Instead, he has to be someone next door, someone believable, and yet a great performer.”

Meanwhile, the hunt for the third actor continues.