Don’t call Nawaz a star. He says he’s still not a complete actor

Star, superstar, comedy star, romantic star or tragic star — Nawazuddin Siddiqui doesn’t believe in tags, and says he’s best away from these. “Forget becoming a star, I’m still working hard to become a good actor,” says Nawaz, whose recent roles — a detective in Mom and a character with grey shades in Jagga Jasoos — have earned him more appreciation as a versatile actor.

“Tags come from outside. I have no interest in them. I prefer being identified as an actor and not a star. I enjoy my work, and at times, feel that I still haven’t become a complete actor. There’s so much more to be done. I have done theatre, so I know that you don’t become an actor overnight. Hence, every day, I work towards becoming one,” says the 43-year-old.

Any character he plays, Nawaz wants it to be believable. “A character shouldn’t be so out-of-the-box that it doesn’t look real. The audience should feel, ‘Yes, such characters exist’. Gone are the days when larger-than-life characters appealed. Such films don’t work anymore,” he says.

Nawaz has his priorities planned in Bollywood. He’s there for work. To act! “My work is everything for me. There’s nothing on my mind other than my films. I’m always thinking about them. I don’t even attend [Bollywood] parties until and unless I have to. In no way do I want to lose my focus,” says the actor, who is currently promoting his upcoming film, Babumoshai Bandookbaaz.

I have done theatre, so I know that you don’t become an actor overnight... There’s so much more to be done NAWAZUDDIN SIDDIQUI, ACTOR

PHOTO: AFP