Nawazuddin Siddiqui acquired an unusual fan base in a bunch of Chinese filmmakers and actors after the screening of his last film, Raman Raghav 2.0, at the Cannes International Film Festival, earlier this year. The group lavished praises on the actor during a subsequent meeting and even extended a personal invitation to Nawaz to join them for a gathering in Shenzhen to interact with other filmmakers, students and Bollywood fans. Nawaz happily took them up on the offer.

Exploring China, the 42-year-old actor was on a mini-vacation in Hong Kong after his Shenzhen visit when he received a call from Baaghi writer-director, Sabbir Khan, to inform him about an interesting role. A week later, Nawaz heard the script at a narration in Mumbai and signed up to play a “grey“ character in the Tiger Shroff-starrer, Munna Michael.

“The script is wonderful,“ exults Nawaz, who starts prep and dance workshops with Tiger next week. Shooting begins in the first week of September and Tiger's sister, Krishna Shroff, will be assisting on the film. “This role has been tailor-made for Nawaz,“ adds producer Viki Rajani.

The romantic-musical features Jackie's cub as local Mumbai lad Munna, a wannabe Michael Jackson from the streets of Teen Batti, where papa Shroff grew up. To be shot in real locations, a recce is currently underway. After Heropanti and Baaghi, this film is Tiger's third collaboration with Sabbir.

Next up: Nawaz will be seen singing and dancing alongside Amy Jackson in Sohail Khan's sports-drama, Ali, in which he plays a mohalla thug-turned-professional golfer.

“There is a lot more dancing in Munna Michael. It will be the first time you will see Nawaz dancing in several full-fledged, choreographed songs,“ says Sabbir, adding, “I've been a huge fan of Nawaz. Once again, he takes on an extremely complex character, layered with emotions like jealousy, joy and ambition.“