Nawazuddin Siddiqui, the celebrated Bollywood actor, has carved a niche for himself with his versatile performances and unconventional journey to stardom. Born in Budhana, a small town in Uttar Pradesh, India, on May 19, 1974, to a Zamindari Muslim family, Siddiqui is the eldest of nine siblings. His father, the late Nawabuddin Siddiqui, was a farmer.
Siddiqui's path to Bollywood was far from conventional. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Gurukul Kangri University in Haridwar, he worked as a chemist in Vadodara for a year before moving to Delhi in search of a new job. Drawn to acting after watching a play, he enrolled in the National School of Drama (NSD) in Delhi.
After graduating from NSD, Siddiqui moved to Mumbai, the heart of the Indian film industry, where he faced years of struggle. He took on minor, often uncredited, roles in films and television to make ends meet, and even worked as a watchman for about five years. He appeared in movies such as Sarfarosh (1999) and Munna Bhai MBBS (2003), often playing characters who were beaten up.
Recently, Nawazuddin Siddiqui revealed a poignant anecdote about his early struggles and his father's reaction to his on-screen beatings. In a conversation with YouTuber Raj Shamani, Siddiqui recalled how his father was deeply worried whenever he saw his son getting thrashed in movies. People from their village would watch these films and tell his father, "Your son is always getting beaten in films".
This led to his father asking him to stop taking on such roles and, at one point, even discouraging him from returning to the village after getting beaten up on screen. Siddiqui, disheartened, stayed away from his village for three years.
The turning point came with Gangs of Wasseypur. In this critically acclaimed film, Siddiqui played a character who not only stood his ground but also delivered some memorable beatdowns. This role significantly altered his image and perception, both on and off-screen.
Interestingly, his father's reaction also changed. After watching Gangs of Wasseypur, his father was finally happy. As Siddiqui humorously recalled, his father's reaction was, "Ab theek kiya" (Now you've done it right). It was only after this that his father allowed him to return to his village.
This anecdote highlights the societal pressures and expectations that Siddiqui faced, as well as the cultural significance of portraying strength and dominance. It also underscores Siddiqui's perseverance and his ultimate triumph over adversity.
Nawazuddin Siddiqui's journey is a testament to his talent, hard work, and unwavering commitment to his craft. From being a relatively unknown actor playing minor roles to becoming one of the most sought-after performers in Bollywood, his story is an inspiration to aspiring actors everywhere.
