When Anurag Kashyap didn’t notice Nawazuddin Siddiqui, director recalls first meet with Haddi actor

Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui has set a unique identity in the Indian film industry for his versatility. Nawaz has already worked with almost all the A-listed actors and he stuns every time with his powerful roles. Cine lovers shower love on Nawaz for his impeccable onscreen performance and the actor is entrusted by directors for the same.

Though Nawaz made his onscreen debut in small roles much earlier, he went unnoticed by filmmakers as well as the audience, until Gangs of Wasseypur. The movie helmed by Anurag Kashyap gave Nawaz the much-needed platform and identity. Since then, the actor has risen to the top and never looked behind. He worked in various genres and different characters while winning the hearts of cine lovers.

But, did you know before they teamed up for Gangs of Wasseypur, Nawaz worked with the director in Shool (1999), but, he didn’t notice him then?

During an interview with Pinkvilla, Anurag recalled the first meeting with Nawaz. Briefing the incident, the director said, “The first time I met him I actually did not even notice him. Really in the sense, I met him because some friends of mine told me there's an actor who is leaving town which is Rajpal Yadav.”

“Toh hum log unko rok ne gaye the and Nawaz bhi unme se ek tha. Phir mein Rajpal ko rok ke Shool (1999) mein role diya tha and Nawaz ko bhi Shool mein role mil gaya tha ek waiter ka. Tab itna notice nehi kiya tha, chhota sa role kiya tha paise k liye,” he added.

Recalling when he first noticed Nawaz, Anurag said, “Nawazuddin ko pehli bar dhyan diya tha Black Friday (2004) k shoot k time. Jab ab camera k through kisiko dekhte hai like director tab maine pehli bar dhayan diya tha 'kaun hai yeh?' His presence was so strong. So that was the first time I really noticed him. Since then it's been non-stop.”

Apart from antagonists or supporting roles, Nawaz has worked in several movies in the lead.

The hype around his upcoming Haddi is quite high. Nawaz is all set to mesmerize movie lovers in his never-seen-before avatar of a transgender. His first look in the movie was fuelled excitement among all and the trailer doubled the hype. The movie also stars Anurag and Ila Arun among other prominent characters. The movie is scheduled for release on ZEE5 on September 7, 2023.