I like being called Inspector Teri-ma-ki Khan: Nawazuddin Siddiqui

Had it not been for oodles of patience and belief in his ability, actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui wouldn’t have stayed on in Mumbai for a little more than 10 years, waiting for the right time. And now finally, he can see things brightening up professionally. Following a stellar performance in Kahaani, Nawaz (as he’s referred to) has been recognised like never before.

First things first, he seems to have been rechristened after his tough cop act in the film. “A lot of people call me Inspector Teri-ma-ki Khan and I’m not complaining. When Sujoy offered me the role, I couldn’t imagine myself playing an intelligence officer. Bollywood has always stereotyped the cop to be well-built, tall, macho and here I was a 5ft 6inch actor. How to portray that arrogance and hot-headedness was my main concern,” he reminisces. But with the way Inspector Khan is being talked about, Nawaz knows he’s done his job well. “We are living and acting in times when the audience wants real cinema and characters who look real. We can’t keep saying films are a figment of imagination,” he states.

For all the years he’s been struggling in Mumbai, Nawaz never lost hope. “I was literally living and dreaming acting. And I have put in so much of effort into my acting that it has to reap me fruits some day. Moving to Mumbai wasn’t a whim — I went to acting school, did theatre and then decided to try films,” quips the unassuming actor. What followed was something he hadn’t fathomed. “I got one scene offers which I did but those single scenes never became two scenes. I used to wonder how long this spell would last. Filmmakers and production houses keep asking for ‘hero material’ but I fail to understand what this terminology actually means.

Gangs Of Wasseypur, Dekh Indian Circus, Talaash, Chittagong, Monsoon Shootout, Patang, Liar Dice, Lunch Box, Shankar Sambhu are forthcoming films that have Nawaz in them; and that list is constantly growing. “I’m glad that I have more meaningful roles coming my way. But that doesn’t change the fact that Bollywood is still hung up on stars. It’s not a place meant for an ordinary looking actor like me,” he signs off.