Cannes 2016 | Did not play him as a psychopath but as a lover boy: Nawazuddin Siddiqui on 'Raman Raghav 2.0'

In its review of Raman Raghav 2.0, The Hollywood Reporter​ says of Nawazuddin Siddiqui, "The story could have turned into one huge cliché, and there are genre elements that are numbingly familiar, was it not for the exceptionally scary performance of Nawazuddin Siddiqui in the role of the villainous, demented serial killer Ramanna. Anthony Hopkins' Hannibal need not move over, but he would certainly enjoy the nuanced performance of this rising Indian actor, who has demonstrated his extraordinary range in roles stretching from a humble office clerk in The Lunchbox to a porn-meister in Miss Lovely, as well as multiple gangster stints for Kashyap and others."

To be mentioned alongside Anthony Hopkins is a big feat for Nawazuddin and it was visible when I met him in the lobby of Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic in Cannes for this interview. He was enjoying all the attention and looked completely relaxed. Coming to Cannes and being at the receiving end of a rousing applause has become an annual ritual for him, Raman Raghav 2.0 being his eighth film and fifth consecutive year at the festival. With praises all around, we naturally begin with Anurag Kashyap’s new film, based on the psychopath who was on a killing spree in Mumbai in the 1960s.

Yesterday after the screening of your film, you said that it was tough preparing for this character. Can you explain?

It was mentally very disturbing to play this character. Generally, the character tells me what sort of preparation it needs. And every character asks for its own tayyari. Sometimes it is the spontaneity that works for a character. But Ramanna’s character was different. The way he thinks, he has his own theory, his own logic. He is very different from the normal person. In fact, he is not normal at all. When I prepare for a character, I try to get into its mindset. Why does he do the things that he does? Why does he speak the way he does? So, to get to know this person, I had to get into his skin and try to think abnormally. Also, he is not always abnormal. There is a sort of a circle for his normalcy and abnormality. That was difficult for me. Because I do not believe in his theory, to kill for the sake of killing, a pure murder and conviction. That is why he says, I do not kill in the name of politics or religion. I do not kill under any garb. So now, to portray this character convincingly, I need to understand his reasons. And while trying to do that, sometimes I thought I too was changing and that became very scary. Mujhe apne aap se darr lagne laga tha (I was getting scared of myself). His nakedness of thoughts and actions frightened me. Every person has his/ her own abnormality but we control it. What I see of a person in public life is not necessarily that person. I can never claim to know a person unless I know how he or she behaves privately. But this guy does not hide himself even in public.

At the Q&A for Psycho Raman @Festival_Cannes. #Cannes2016 #NawazAtCannes pic.twitter.com/U1JAoBDHVx

— Nawazuddin Siddiqui (@Nawazuddin_S) May 16, 2016

Did it become a little easy because Anurag Kashyap was the director and you have such a great rapport with him?

Anurag’s khasiyat is that he makes his actors comfortable. Even the difficult characters are made easy and I would know since all my characters in his film were not at all easy to portray. For this character, Anurag always told me that he is a survivor. Whatever may be the conditions, whichever place he may be in. To be honest, I did not play this character as a psychopath but tried to portray him as a lover boy. He is in love with somebody. And he is ready to go to any extremes for this love. In a way, this is a love story.

Was the shooting stressful too? Were you relieved once it was over?

This film has a few scenes which are 10 minutes long. The last monologue is almost 12-13 minutes, which had to be okayed in a single take. We did it for the first time, but due to some technical problem, we had to redo it all over again. It happened quite a few times. I was completely drained out after that scene was okayed. And I did breathe a sigh of relief.

This script was with you for 5 years…

Yes, that is how long this character has been with me. The full bound script that I had was not improvised at all. The dialogues that were written were so precise that it was not even possible to improvise. Yes, the script was adapted for today’s times so that it became and remained relevant. Today, there are killings in the name of religion all over the world. There are 10-15 people who kill hundreds and we condemn it. But somewhere else again there are 10-15 people who kill hundreds and we think that was the right thing to do. Those getting killed are innocent people but whether the killings are right or wrong depends on where you stand. The line between is getting blurred. What is moral and immoral is individual’s perception too. In a way, it helped that the script was with me for such a long period.

The first step is always the hardest. My eight film at #Cannes, Psycho Raman. #Cannes2016 #NawazAtCannes pic.twitter.com/NsZGAk8OAJ

— Nawazuddin Siddiqui (@Nawazuddin_S) May 16, 2016

You have become a pro at the Cannes Film Festival. 

I have a special relationship with Cannes now that I have become a regular here. People have started recognising me. It feels nice. The first time I came here, I was excited and nervous at the same time. Also, I was shocked at not just the grandeur but the passion for cinema people have here. It is amazing. You sit in a taxi and the driver has a serious conversation on cinema with you. This culture of cinema is very rare to find elsewhere.

You must have been to lots of film festivals now.

Yes. Berlin, Venice all are good festivals, they showcase good cinema. I have been to Sundance festival and that has its own beauty. But this is very big. Cannes and Sundance are my favourites.

You have got rave reviews for your performance in this film.

I am humbled to be very honest. And it also increases your responsibility. But most of all, it gives you motivation. Not just the reviews but the applause from the audiences too gives a great deal of motivation. And getting such kind of success after my long struggle means a lot. But again, to be truthful, I had never ever expected to get what I have got. My motto is try to fulfill the expectations of the audience but it is not necessary to become corrupt for that. When I am praised I feel happy but only for a while. Then I forget about it and move to my next project.

So, about your next projects. You are doing a cameo in Garth Davis’ Lion starring Rooney Mara, Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman.  

Yes. Garth had mailed me saying he wishes to work with me. There is just one scene but I did it because I wanted to be a part of a good story and because I have high regards for the director.
Te3N with Bachchanji and Vidya Balan is a suspense thriller set in Kolkata and is releasing on June 10. Then, of course, there is Raman Raghav 2.0. I have also done a love story. I am doing a film with Sreedevi. Raees with Shahrukh Khan and Farzi with Shahid Kapoor are nearing completion. Just now Nandita Das came to meet me and we are discussing a film (Manto). Many projects are on the floor and in the pipeline. I am happy with the work I am doing today.