YOU DEFINITELY NEED TO BE TRAINED FOR ANY JOB: NAWAZUDDIN

A National School of Drama graduate, Nawazuddin Siddiqui says that actors also need to be trained, just like people in every other profession

Nawazuddin Siddiqui has tread a long, tough path to get to where he is, but the actor credits a lot of his versatility to the institution that taught him acting, the National School of Drama (NSD) in New Delhi. Stressing on the importance of training, Nawazuddin says, “I went to NSD and we were taught everything from zero. The world’s literature is taught to you and you are trained in all aspects of filmmaking and theatre. You watch and discuss all the classic films, and they teach you everything about films. What’s wrong in getting knowledge about your field? Today, times have changed and it’s not like you will be able to land a role in a film just because you are good-looking. You definitely need to be trained for the job. If you want to fly an aircraft, a pilot will have to take classes; he can’t just fly a plane if he feels like it. Education in any field is important.”

The actor is currently shooting for a biopic on the late Shiv Sena chief, Bal Thackeray, and he reveals this has been his toughest role so

What’s wrong in getting knowledge about your field? Today, times have changed and it’s not like you will be able to land a role in a film just because you are goodlooking. NAWAZUDDIN SIDDIQUI, ACTOR

far. The last film he shot for was a biopic as well — Nandita’s Das’s biopic on writer Saadat Haasan Manto — and while he admits that it was tough to transition between the two roles, he welcomes the challenge.

Speaking about the two

films, Nawazuddin says, “To play Manto, I knew that I had to become as honest as he was in his real life. I didn’t want to make a caricature of it. That was very difficult, but I have done my best. Thackeray is a bilingual film in Marathi and Hindi. A couple of months ago, I couldn’t speak a word in Marathi, but today, I can recite a seven-page dialogue perfectly. I have worked very hard on getting the diction, command and the ease with which Balasaheb spoke right, because I was clear that I

would not mimic him. Whenever we do a biopic, we have to ensure that we work internally on the person’s psyche and thought process. Even in Gandhi (1982), Ben Kingsley copied only Mahatma Gandhi’s posture and body language. Everything else was his own take on him. We are also trying to show Balasaheb’s angst and his complex journey without mimicking him. I think this is my life’s most difficult character.”