From giving a blink-and-lost appearance in Munna Bhai MBBS, to essaying the role of a national figure like Bal Keshav Thackeray – Nawazuddin Siddiqui has certainly made his life large. Now considered to be an 'A-Lister', Gangs of Wasseypur actor revealed that at a point in time he used to do street plays on any and every street of the national capital.
As of now, 'Faisal' of Bollywood is happy in the state of cinema and says that he is quite enjoying this phase right now. On being asked about going back to the theatre he said, "I guess it is time for me to cherish this… The cinema. Let the saturation point come once, maybe then I will think of going back."
Although he has done more serious roles (including that of gangsters), Nawaz prefers romancing on-screen and would like to do more romantic films in near future.
"I am a very romantic person. I like doing romantic roles in films. But I think it is all because of Anurag Kashyap, as he handovers me weapons in every project and makes me a gangster."
He will next be seen romanticising leading actores in films like Photograph and Motichoor ka ladoo.
Addressing a press conference in Delhi, where he was promoting his upcoming film Thackeray, the actor talked about the process and preparation he underwent to give a successful performance in the film. He said, "As Balasaheb was a public figure and his life was an open book, it was difficult for me to seek his personality on-screen or make the audience believe of me as Thackeray." From watching all his interviews, speeches to taking help from Sanjay Raut (writer of the film), the 44-year-old actor did not leave any loophole in his preparation and execution, and hopes that audience likes him as Thackeray .
After being liked for unconventional roles like Faizal in Gangs of Wasseypur, 'Manjhi' in Manjhi: The Mountain Man, 'Liak' in Badlapur and 'Gaitonde' in 'Sacred Games', the actor still looks forward to such roles which can challenge him further and make him come out of his comfort zone. For him, this is what makes him realise his worth as an actor. Also, Nawazuddin believes that if this is the time for biopics, it should not fade till 10 years or so. "The audience did not get bored of watching repetitive love stories on and on till this time. So, I think this is the time when we should work more and more on real-life stories now."
Thackeray – a biopic on Shiv Sena's leader Bal Keshav Thackeray will be released on January 25. Directed by Abhijit Panse and written by Sanjay Raut, the film will also feature Amrita Rao as Meena Thackeray.