I RECEIVED 200 SCRIPTS, I CHOSE FIVE

Nawazuddin Siddiqui says he only chooses characters that make him uncomfortable
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 1, 2022)

Nawazuddin Siddiqui is a noted name in the industry, so it’s natural that the actor is continuously approached for work. He reveals that “in the last three months”, he was approached for as many as “200 scripts”. He adds, “But I chose only five films after much deliberation.”

Siddiqui says he isn’t someone who likes to chase fame or money. “I felt that they (projects that he accepted) were correct offers for me to experiment with,” he tells us.

Considering that he chose five out of 200, ask him if he read the entire script that’s being offered to him before making the final decision, and he explains, “It (the role) should be character-driven. It’s okay if it (the movie) has no content... Just tell me whether my character will make me feel uncomfortable or not. And I will choose the one that makes me feel that way.”

About the process, the 47-year-old further elaborates, “I listen to one-liners about my characters. And if I am interested, then I tell my assistant to give me a narration of the story, or tell the makers to come and narrate it to me.”

Meanwhile, ask him why we don’t see him jetting off to exotic locations to unwind and relax like many of his peers, and Siddiqui says he finds relaxation in his job itself. “Kuchh logon ko shauk hota hai relax karne ke liye travel karne ka. I am at ease when I am on set. It’s a spiritual journey. I am not the person jisko peace ke liye pahaadon mein jaana hota hai, ya kahin aur. Even if I go, I don’t think that I will rest. Main [rest] nahin karna chahta kyunki main kaam ko enjoy kar raha hoon. I relax [when I am working],” says Siddiqui, who is set to be seen in Tiku Weds Shera next.