I work on my terms and conditions: Nawazuddin Siddiqui

For somebody, who came to Mumbai with Rs2,500 in his pocket, and had to struggle for more than 12 years to find a foothold in Bollywood, Nawazuddin Siddiqui has come a long way. The critics love him and so does the audience. For Nawaz, it is appreciation from the junta that keeps him on his toes. “There are times when the critics might not always be happy but the audience fills that gap,” he says, adding that while his latest film, Babumoshai Bandookbaaz also got some weak reviews, the audience is watching it. “It must have connected somewhere for them to do that,” he reasons. The actor opens up on his film roles, avoiding being typecast and what money means to him...

You are balancing big-budget films like Raees and Munna Michael, with smaller-budget films such as Haraamkhor and Babumoshai Bandookbaaz. How do you manage that? 

Yes, and I will keep doing it. It’s the different topics that small budget films throw up that I find exciting as an actor. Small filmmakers come with different subjects, where actors get the scope to perform. Mazaa aata hai aisi filmein karnein mein. The budgets might be smaller, but the characters are really interesting. In a big film, you can’t take that risk. Take a film like Babumoshai... He’s a besharam character, there is no goodness in him. Big stars will not do it because they are image-conscious. If I’m getting a chance to do this, then as an actor, it’s an opportunity for me to hone my craft. So, I will always be a part of this cinema.

What emotion do you tap for negative characters like Babumoshai and Raman Raghav?

Actually, mazaa tabhi aata hai, when you do something like a Manto and also do a Babumoshai, who’s a shameless character. It gives you a chance to explore your inner world. Whatever emotions you have inside, I feel you should tap them through your character. 

Babumoshai... and Gangs of Wasseypur have a similar backdrop of blood and violence. How do you ensure that you do not repeat your characters?

Repetitive characters are those of the Bollywood hero, who has been doing the same thing for the last 60 years. In the 16th century, French playwright Moliere, wrote many plays. While the plots would change, the characters would remain the same. It’s the same thing in Bollywood. Till the time we’re stuck in that, good stories will not emerge. I don’t get into that rut. 

How have you avoided getting typecast so far?

It’s been an effort from my side because I don’t want to get stuck. If I do a Babumoshai, I will also do a Manto. I will do everything except play the typical hero. If I play a hero, he will be someone who exists, not somebody you can’t imagine. I can’t do those characters because I find them fake and they have no detailing. 

For someone who started with one scene in Sarfarosh, did you ever think you would one day be playing lead roles in films? 

No, I never imagined it. I just wanted to do good work, whether in films or serials. 

Naseeruddin Shah recently said that one can’t become the character. Irrfan Khan has also expressed similar views. What do you think of that? 

Naseerji, Irrfan, and I are trained from the same place. We have been taught different theories on characterisation, by (Jean-Paul) Sartre, (Konstatin) Stanislavski, Michael Chekhov amd Paul Muni. How should an actor portray a character, has been discussed for many years. Some say that you remain yourself but partly become another character. Some say that you completely become the character. Both are correct.

You’re playing Manto. How do you play someone who was loved by so many and yet, was flawed as well? 

Manto mein kamaal ki daring thi. In the 1940s, he wrote what was happening in society. He didn’t get scared. I feel sad that today, there is nobody like Manto. He was an egoist because he knew that the writers of that time were not able to think like him. His stories were appreciated by writers such as Ismat Chughtai and Faiz Ahmed Faiz. He had his flaws, but that’s what made him a complete human being. I have worked on the character. He will seem like a man of today. Fark yeh hai ki aajkal log bolne se darte hain. The situation that time was similar lekin Manto bolta tha. 

You’re playing Ganesh Gaitonde in Sacred Games. What drew you to this character? 

Gaitonde came from a small place and he had a rise and a fall. That’s his graph and that’s also the beauty of his character. I’m happy that it will be shown in 160 countries at the same time. Now, everything is global. We see their work and they see ours. 

You came to Mumbai with Rs 2,500 in your pocket. Today, you are star. What is the value of money for you? 

Money has no value for me. You have to make yourself so capable that money runs after you. If you run after money you will be running after it all your life. The choice is yours. I never ran after it. I worked hard, worked on my craft. It’s the result of that, that I’m doing the kind of work I am. Apni marzi ka kaam kar raha hoon. I’m working on my terms and conditions. I’m not following anyone. I have my own style.