Gangs of Wasseypur's untold battle: Studio tried to replace Nawazuddin Siddiqui but Anurag Kashyap stood firm

Anurag Kashyap’s Gangs of Wasseypur (2012) changed the face of Hindi cinema forever. With its raw storytelling and unforgettable performances, it catapulted a generation of powerhouse actors into stardom. Manoj Bajpayee’s fierce Sardar Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s iconic Faizal Khan, and the memorable turns by Pankaj Tripathi, Richa Chadha, Huma Qureshi, and Rajkummar Rao raised the bar for realistic performances in Bollywood.

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The Hidden Struggle Behind the Screen

But behind this cinematic milestone lay a battle few knew about - one that nearly cost Nawazuddin Siddiqui his defining role. Before the cameras rolled, the studio backing the project, UTV, had serious doubts about casting Nawaz as the lead.

Anurag Kashyap Makes Big Revelations

In a recent Game Changers interview, Anurag Kashyap revealed how close the project came to collapse, “I left my fees for the film. UTV was producing that film, and they said, how will Nawaz play this role? They asked me to bring a big star. They left the film three days before the shooting began. My whole crew, actors were waiting for me.”

Sunil Bora and Viacom Step In

Just when it seemed all was lost, help came from co-producer Sunil Bora, who reached out to Viacom. Kashyap shared, “At that time, co-producer Sunil Bora spoke to Viacom, and within two days this new studio came in and told us to make the film.”

To prove his faith in Nawazuddin, Kashyap made a bold sacrifice, “For the sake of conviction, I said that I will leave my fees, but I am vouching for Nawaz.”

The Making of a Star

Kashyap’s gamble paid off spectacularly. Gangs of Wasseypur not only redefined Indian cinema but also transformed Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s career. From a character actor to one of Bollywood’s most versatile actors, Nawaz went on to share the screen with icons like Sridevi, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Ranbir Kapoor.

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His recent appearance in Thamma, alongside Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna, saw him embodying a chilling supernatural villain - proof that his range continues to expand with every role.