Nawazuddin Siddiqui ‘wept bitterly’ after Kamal Haasan cut his role from Hey Ram, says Shruti Haasan consoled him

Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui rose to fame with Anurag Kashyap’s Gangs of Wasseypur and ever since, there has been no looking back. 

However, before this breakthrough, Nawaz played small time parts in various films. In a recent chat, the actor recalls the time when his role was edited out by Kamal Haasan in the film Hey Ram.

Nawaz shares that there were  many incidents when he did small roles and then the role was edited out. “But the one incident that stays with me involves one of my idols Kamal Haasan. I was his Hindi dialogue coach on  his film Hey Ram (2000) which he directed and also played the lead. When  Kamalji offered me a small role in Hey Ram I was as excited as a child. He is one of my idols alongside Dilip Kumar, Naseeruddin Shah, Anthony Hopkins and Denzel Washington. I’ve seen each and every film of theirs repeatedly” Nawaz told SpotboyE.

The actor says that he was very excited for the role and after his scene was axed out, he cried and was consoled by Shruti Haasan.

“It was actually a substantial role. I was supposed to be this victim of a mob attack whom Kamalji rescues.I was excited about this opportunity to share screen space with my idol.”

Despite his role was edited out, Nawaz says that he does not hold any grudge against Kamal Haasan. “I wept bitterly. I remember Kamalji’s daughter Shruti  consoling me. Though Kamalji cut my role there was no illwill whatsoever in my heart. How could I be resentful  ? Kamalji is such a complete artiste  with his knowledge stretching far beyond.Unka toh mujhe naam  bhil lene mein hichkichaahat hoti hai(I hesitate to even say his name).”

Meanwhile on the work front, Nawazuddin Siddiqui has been delivering projects one after the another. His recent released include Honey Trehan’s murder mystery Raat Akeli Hai, and Sudhir Mishra’s Serious Men.