Are Bollywood Friendships Even Real? Nawazuddin Siddiqui's Comments Sparks Opinions & Debates

Time and again, we’ve witnessed the well-worn tug-of-war that is the insiders vs. outsiders debate in the entertainment industry. It’s a narrative that has been fed and stretched to breaking point—sometimes inflamed, sometimes bastardized—depending on which side of the fence you’re peering from. On one hand, insiders are accused of blissful ignorance, if not active denial, of the ladders of privilege, money, and access handed to them. On the other, outsiders are sometimes seen wielding the “struggle” card to court public sympathy and rally support. Both extremes exist. And rarely do we find someone who addresses this elephant in the studio with candour and clarity. Enter Nawazuddin Siddiqui.

The man, who has made a career out of unflinching honesty in both performance and persona, has once again sparked a much-needed conversation. This time, he’s talking about the industry's gaping emotional vacuum: the myth of friendship, the omnipresence of insecurity, and the absurdity of casting choices that leave actual talent waiting in the wings.

In a recent interview, Siddiqui ripped the gloss off Bollywood’s carefully curated camaraderie. According to him, the concept of genuine friendship within the industry is little more than a mirage. “With time, it’s one person today and someone else tomorrow. It’s all transactional—need-based and benefit-driven,” he said, asserting that his true friendships remain tethered to his early, struggle-filled years. It's not a new observation, but coming from someone who has been both inside and outside the velvet rope, it hits differently.

Nawazuddin Calls Out the Club

He further added, “There is an insecurity in every actor here, hence there’s no strong friendship or loyalty.” And just like that, the illusion begins to flicker. He even went a step further, calling out the existence of a “club”—a metaphorical gated community of privilege—where the drawbridge seldom lowers for anyone beyond their echo chamber. “They aren’t together,” he says, “they’re just separate.” Brutal, but refreshingly honest.

But Siddiqui wasn’t done. He pivoted to another core issue that plagues the industry: miscasting and the systemic undervaluing of trained actors. “An actor who isn’t that reliable… they are made to act somehow. This happens only in our industry,” he noted, drawing a sharp contrast with other film industries where competence is non-negotiable. It’s a stinging observation—one that reveals the dissonance between performance and platform. Siddiqui’s frustration is palpable when he adds, “Deserving and great actors are put in supporting roles, this makes me angry.”

One can’t help but agree. Because what we’re watching unfold, film after film, is the slow acclimatisation of audiences to mediocrity—until we begin mistaking mere improvement for brilliance. “If you would have taken a deserving actor in those 15 films, then the actor would have been something else.” A mic-drop of a statement, if ever there was one.

Who’s Really Friends in Bollywood? A Few

And yet, while Siddiqui’s truth bombs resonate deeply, the story isn’t entirely painted in noir. There are glimmers—occasional flickers of real friendships and mutual admiration that cross the lines of privilege and pedigree. Take Jaideep Ahlawat and Vijay Varma, for instance—two actors with indie roots and massive chops, whose camaraderie feels refreshingly unmanufactured. Or Jaideep sharing screen space with industry royalty like Kareena Kapoor Khan and Saif Ali Khan, where what emerges isn’t cold transaction but visible respect and a willingness to create good work, together.

So yes, the divide is real. The insecurities, the self-serving friendships, the absurd casting—none of it is imagined. But to box the entire industry into a cynical singularity would be lazy. There are exceptions, there are crossovers, and there is—most crucially—hope. There are artists who rise above the constructed binaries, who collaborate not out of convenience but out of admiration.

Ultimately, what Nawazuddin Siddiqui has done is put a spotlight on the rotting planks beneath the red carpet. And in doing so, he has reminded us that honesty, though rare in this business, is still possible. And perhaps, with enough of it, even a bridge can be built between the club and the crowd outside the gates.

What do you think about it? Leave in your comments below.

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