‘NO MERIT SYSTEM TO BECOME AN ACTOR’
Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui feels that whoever invests money in a film can decide whom they want to cast
Nawazuddin Siddiqui feels that whoever invests money in a film can decide who they want to cast
He went for hundreds of auditions, took up every role that came his way, and waited patiently for 12 long years to get his first big, breakthrough. So, Nawazuddin Siddiqui would surely know a thing or two about struggle, especially from an outsider’s perspective. Today, as nepotism becomes the buzzword vis-àvis Bollywood, Siddiqui looks at it differently.
“Nepotism har jagah hota hai. I’m sure the day a budding actor comes to Mumbai, he/she is aware about it. But despite all of that, so many ‘outsiders’ get established. ‘Insiders’ shouldn’t be blamed or targeted. If it’s their money, they can decide ke woh kis par apna paisa lagana chahte hai. It’s pure business for them. Also, it’s not as if there’s a merit system to become an actor” says the actor, adding that he personally “never got affected by the concept of ‘nepotism’.”
“And that’s because I don’t believe in formula films, which are mostly synonymous with ‘nepotistic’ films. So that way, mujhe kabhi zyaada fark nahi pada. At the same time, there are so many directors, who work with other actors too [apart from ‘insiders’],” says Siddiqui, adding that ‘insiders’ are also respectful of genuine talent. “Agar aap respect deserve kartein hain, they give it you in abundance. Be it Yash Raj Films or Dharma Productions, they have offered me a film almost every year,” he says.
Siddiqui recalls how Karan Johar had called him for a part in Ittefaq (2017). “I remember he was very respectful, and said that he ‘always wanted to work with me but waited for a role that was worthy of me.’ Although I couldn’t take up the offer due to dates, he reacted in an extremely professional manner. Thanks to the kind of training I’ve got as an actor, I want to do films that can explore things/skills I acquired,” says the actor.
Even as the Hindi film industry gets shown in a negative light [due to various stories in the wake of actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death], Siddiqui is “extremely pained” about it.
He explains: “When you say ‘Bollywood’, do you include all the directors, writers, DoPs, editors and so many others, who are all ‘outsiders’? They’re all working and earning their livelihoods from the same industry. Isliye yeh kehna ki puri industry gandi jagah hai ekdum galat hai. If such a dirty picture is painted of the industry, the outside talent would be too scared to come in,” says the actor, who is enjoying “all the tension-free time” that lockdown has brought along.
“I am getting to spend time with my nieces, nephews, and, most importantly, with my mother. Yeh sab shaayad normal times mein kabhi nahi ho paata. Plus, this period has also given a lot of time for some introspection. Maybe, that’s why I don’t have too many complaints about the lockdown. Kaam bhi kar lenge sahi waqt pe,” he concludes with a smile.