Kick has a Very Strong Script: Nawazuddin Siddiqui

GQ magazine in 2013 called him the India's finest actor. A shape shifter who is ever evolving with every character, every film.

The latest in his repertoire of evolution is Salman Khan's massive EID release Kick.

"My character's name is Shiv. It is an intriguing character about whom I cannot reveal much yet. I am hoping once people see the film they will like the character."

The film marks the directorial debut of veteran producer Sajid Nadiadwala who was instrumental in casting Nawazuddin. Once he heard a narration, Nawaz was excited to sign on.

"When the film was being written and the character crafted at that initial stage itself the director, Sajid Nadiadwala had thought of me. The script of the film is very good, very strong. Any actor would run to do it so I signed on right away. Initially I was surprised the film was offered to me. Sajid Nadiadwala is a big producer and Salman Khan is a huge star."

A new entrant himself to the massy, out and out commercial space, Kick offered the seasoned actor new challenges.

"The biggest challenge is reaching the imagination of the director about the character. If you can attain that then what else can you add to it to make it better and take the character to the next level. I had many discussions with Sajid before we started filming."

The experience of working with Salman Khan was one Nawazuddin tremendously enjoyed.

"The best thing about having Salman as a co-star is that he is a very secure actor. The environment with him on set is light, easy and comfortable. When an actor works in such an environment you don't feel burdened or pressurized."

Success has been a long time in the making for the actor who started his film career fifteen years ago with an itsy bitsy part in the Aamir Khan starrer Sarfarosh. Each performance thereon, one at a time made tiny inroads to bring him to the place he is at today.

"You feel happy when you are able to pick and choose the films you want to do and be a part of. There is no better feeling for an actor. I feel I am at a good place now where I have a choice."

Largely known making an impact in smaller scale, niche films; Nawazuddin understands the balancing act between big budgeted commercial films and smaller indie films well.

"Doing a film like Kick will only have a positive impact on my other, smaller films which come out in the future. It will help them reach a bigger number of people. Smaller films don't have large scale promotions so bigger films like Kick create that curiosity amongst audiences to see the small films. In that sense Kick becomes a very important film for me and my career."