In the vast galaxy of Bollywood, where stars often come adorned with legacy and lineage, Nawazuddin Siddiqui shines as a beacon of raw talent and sheer perseverance. Born on May 19, 1974, in the small village of Budhana, Uttar Pradesh, Nawazuddin’s journey to the pinnacle of Indian cinema is nothing short of a cinematic tale itself.
Growing up among nine siblings in a family of farmers, Nawazuddin’s early life was far removed from the glitz and glamour of Bollywood. His was a world of fields and crops, not film sets and cameras. However, even in this rustic upbringing, the seeds of a future in acting were sown, as Nawazuddin developed a keen interest in theatre during his college days.
The road to success was not paved with gold for Nawazuddin. After graduating from the National School of Drama (NSD) in New Delhi, he moved to Mumbai in 2000 with dreams of making it big in Bollywood. The city of dreams, however, presented a harsh reality. The initial years were a struggle, with Nawazuddin taking up any role that came his way, no matter how small. He appeared in blink-and-miss parts in movies and was often typecast in stereotypical roles.
But Nawazuddin’s talent refused to be sidelined. His breakthrough came with the movie “Peepli Live” (2010), where his role, although small, garnered him much-needed recognition. It was, however, Anurag Kashyap’s “Gangs of Wasseypur” (2012) that turned the tide for Nawazuddin. Portraying the complex character of Faizal Khan, he delivered a performance that was both powerful and poignant, earning him critical acclaim and a fan following.
Since then, Nawazuddin Siddiqui has carved a niche for himself in the Indian film industry, known for his versatility and ability to get under the skin of his characters. His notable works include “Talaash” (2012), “The Lunchbox” (2013), “Manto” (2018), and “Thackeray” (2019), among others.
Nawazuddin Siddiqui discloses his honest reaction after his daughter bought a small bag worth Rs 2.5 lakh
Meanwhile, during a recent interview – in an episode of Unfiltered by Samdish, the actor opened up that the last person he leaned on was his daughter, Shora. He said: “I want everything for her. A few days back, she took me to a mall in Dubai, ‘Papa ek chota sa bag chahiye mujhe (Papa, I want a bag). I said, ‘Fine, buy it.’”
The actor was taken aback after coming to know the price of the regular small bag at the Louis Vuitton store. He added “I thought it must be some small bag. But, she pulled me to Louis Vuitton’s showroom and picked up a small bag. Par jab usne mujhe rate bataye toh mere hosh udd gaye (But when she told me its price, I was shocked). It was very expensive. It costed Rs 2.5 lakh.”
Nawaz added: “I thought it must be somewhere around Rs 20-25k, itna sa toh bag hai vo (It is such a small bag) But when I was told its price, I was like, ‘Hain? (What!)’,”