'Those who don't find work start movements': Nawazuddin Siddiqui shuns nepotism & casting couch in B-Town, attacks media
Nawazuddin Siddiqui compared Bollywood to other industries and also said "There is no safer and more beautiful place than the industry"
Nawazuddin Siddiqui has been making headlines every now-and-then ever since his wife Aaliya has sent him divorce papers and asked for allimony. The actor is now in news for his statements on nepotism and casting couch. In the same video interview, the actor also spoke about the movements in Bollywood (referring to the #MeToo movement).
While many cases of casting couch have been reported over the years, Nawazuddin Siddiqui refused that such a thing exists in Bollywood. More so, the actor attacked the media and called them ungrateful for attacking the industry for "breaking news".
Here's what he said:
When asked about casting couch, Nawazuddin said, "No, I have not faced that. In fact people are trying to frame the industry. It is all false. I don't know, the media has made it a habit to find all nastiness in the industry. They want their breaking news. If you explore in other fields and departments, you will find more to talk about. I don't understand, why do you try and find mistakes in our industry only?"
He further added, "It is the safest place in comparison to other fields and departments. The media should stop trying to defame the industry time-and-again. It is absolutely wrong. People who don't have any status are also established here. People who dream and are passionate about something come here. This is a place where a dream you saw in a village gets fulfilled. Despite that, you (media) talk bad about them."
While still pointing out at the media personalities, Siddiqui stated, "Can you be any more ungrateful? Non-talented people are also stars here. Can there be a more beautiful place? The way you call us all kinds of hell, it is very wrong and shouldn't happen. Did I have any status? I used to live in a small village. I did a little theatre and training and came to Mumbai. People noticed that I do good work so they gave me more work. People who deserve get work, right? Even if they don't, they also turn stars here. In the whole country, if people have dreams, this industry accepts them. Do you know that?"
An angry Nawazuddin started answering about nepotism questioning, "Where is nepotism? I have received work outside my status. The people who deserve, will get work some day. They need to keep patience. If you have talent then you will get work and eventually respect. If non-talented people come up and scream nepotism, okay. The people who have entered through nepotism also have to work, despite their father's goodwill. They are also working hard on themselves. You don't get work just staying at home, do you? Even if the person gets work because of his father or mother, that person will not stay and home then, right? Even he will work hard. If they work hard, then they will get work. If they don't work hard then no matter the nepotism, they don't get work."
Emphasizing that there is 'no safer and more beautiful place' than Bollywood, Siddiqui added, "Forget nepotism, even non-talented people come up and can't work their magic on camera. They need to have something extraordinary. Then when they don't get work, they would abuse others. People who don't find work, would blame the industry and start movements. There is no safer and more beautiful place than the industry."
When asked if he felt bad about being replaced in a movie, Nawaz said, "Replacing actors is part of process. There is no need to be sad or frustrated about that. I have received calls where they have even given me a reason why they can't take me in the role and I was okay with it. I was shameless, who thought that if not this role then I'll bag another role. It could take a day, two, or even 10, 20, 25 years. There was frustration, but never depression about that."
Nawazuddin Siddiqui revealed he never auditioned for Gangs of Wasseypur. The actor said that Anurag Kashyap knew him from a time when they both were struggling, and Anurag's films were not releasing. Kashyap made a promise to Siddiqui, to cast him in a movie. Thus, they ended up working together in 'Gangs Of Wasseypur'.