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Bollywood
I HEARD THE STORY OF RAEES TWO YEARS AGO'
By Roshmila Bhattacharya | Mar 18, 2015, 02.00 AM IST
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Nawazuddin Siddiqui admits that he's surprised by the overwhelming response to his subtly nuanced act in the recently-released thriller, Badlapur. Theatre taught him to internalise emotions and make his characters real. "I did my job but being a commercial film, I wasn't sure if the audience would notice the finer details, like the fact that I dye my hair after coming out of prison.
It was suggested that I should go to a salon but I felt Layak would colour his hair himself, at home," he points out. The film's success, following on the heels of last year's blockbuster, Kick, has put him in the hit list. But box-office performances are the least of his concerns. "I enjoy the process of making a film but once it's ready for release, I move on," he shrugs, admitting that he was disappointed when Miss Lovely, which was well-appreciated on the festival circuit, failed to bring people to theatres, due to lack of promotion.
Is that why he's now decided to steer clear of the smaller films like Haramkhor, Dekh Indian Circus, Liar's Dice, Anwar Ka Ajab Kissa and Mountain Man which, despite festival raves, even a National Award and an Oscar selection, continue to languish in the cans? Instantly, Nawaz is fiercely protective of the cinema he owes his identity to. "For me it's not about big or small films but the story and director. New directors are more focused. Mountain Man should release in September and Liar's Dice by the year end. These films spend a year or two on the festival circuit.
Haramkhor is currently on tour and Dekh Indian Circus did interest some buyers but beech mein kya hua mujhe pata nahin," he sighs. Nawaz is currently in talks with Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, writer, producer and director who pionered the avant-garde filmmakers' movement in Bangladesh. "There's a small film with a good script which I want to do irrespective of the money," he asserts. Money is not a criterion. He informs that four years ago, he signed Haramkhor for a lakh and the same evening another film for over a crore.
"I give all my earnings to my brother and take Rs 500 or may be Rs 1,000 from him for my needs. Meri koi khwaish nahin hai, I'm happy my wife, Aaliya, who's been through the struggle with me, is seeing the good times too." Three years ago, he got a black three-piece suit stitched. And confesses that he's worn it to 60 festivals across the world, from Cannes and Toronto to Berlin and Poland. "All black suits look alike so even if I got stitched five more, no one would know the difference. So why splurge on another suit?" he smiles. Now 'Raees' Nawaaz is gearing up to shoot with yet another Khan, after Aamir (Sarfarosh), Irrfan (The Lunchbox) and Salman (Kick). "Shah Rukh is a big star. I'd heard the story of Raees from Rahul Dholakia, my favourite director, two years ago.
Film achchi hai, with a big production house. Role bhi achcha hai. And even before I had signed the film people wanted me in it," he jokes. "When the offer finally came, it wasn't difficult to say yes." What's it like working with the Khans? "Great! All of them have been around for 25 years or more which is a really big deal for an actor. Their journey inspires me," he muses. But there's one Khan who obviously rubs Nawaz the wrong way. The actor says that he does not understand the rumours about him and Irrfan. "He's 20 years my senior and I respect him," he says. Will he take a page from Irrfan's book and get into production or look to make an impact in Hollywood? "He's not the first one to make a name for himself in the West.
Kabir Bedi became an international star years before, so did Om Puri, Amrish Puri and Naseeruddin Shah. If I get a good script, I'll do it. But I can't think of producing films right now. Let me focus on acting. After years I'm in a position to pick and choose and your talent is recognised by the roles you pick," he reasons. So, if 'Bhaijaan' Salman wants him to return in Kick 2 will he? "How can I? I died in the first film," he protests. In Hindi cinema everything is possible. "Well, if they want me to return from the grave, may be, I'll do it for the Devil," he grins.
It was suggested that I should go to a salon but I felt Layak would colour his hair himself, at home," he points out. The film's success, following on the heels of last year's blockbuster, Kick, has put him in the hit list. But box-office performances are the least of his concerns. "I enjoy the process of making a film but once it's ready for release, I move on," he shrugs, admitting that he was disappointed when Miss Lovely, which was well-appreciated on the festival circuit, failed to bring people to theatres, due to lack of promotion.
Is that why he's now decided to steer clear of the smaller films like Haramkhor, Dekh Indian Circus, Liar's Dice, Anwar Ka Ajab Kissa and Mountain Man which, despite festival raves, even a National Award and an Oscar selection, continue to languish in the cans? Instantly, Nawaz is fiercely protective of the cinema he owes his identity to. "For me it's not about big or small films but the story and director. New directors are more focused. Mountain Man should release in September and Liar's Dice by the year end. These films spend a year or two on the festival circuit.
Haramkhor is currently on tour and Dekh Indian Circus did interest some buyers but beech mein kya hua mujhe pata nahin," he sighs. Nawaz is currently in talks with Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, writer, producer and director who pionered the avant-garde filmmakers' movement in Bangladesh. "There's a small film with a good script which I want to do irrespective of the money," he asserts. Money is not a criterion. He informs that four years ago, he signed Haramkhor for a lakh and the same evening another film for over a crore.
"I give all my earnings to my brother and take Rs 500 or may be Rs 1,000 from him for my needs. Meri koi khwaish nahin hai, I'm happy my wife, Aaliya, who's been through the struggle with me, is seeing the good times too." Three years ago, he got a black three-piece suit stitched. And confesses that he's worn it to 60 festivals across the world, from Cannes and Toronto to Berlin and Poland. "All black suits look alike so even if I got stitched five more, no one would know the difference. So why splurge on another suit?" he smiles. Now 'Raees' Nawaaz is gearing up to shoot with yet another Khan, after Aamir (Sarfarosh), Irrfan (The Lunchbox) and Salman (Kick). "Shah Rukh is a big star. I'd heard the story of Raees from Rahul Dholakia, my favourite director, two years ago.
Film achchi hai, with a big production house. Role bhi achcha hai. And even before I had signed the film people wanted me in it," he jokes. "When the offer finally came, it wasn't difficult to say yes." What's it like working with the Khans? "Great! All of them have been around for 25 years or more which is a really big deal for an actor. Their journey inspires me," he muses. But there's one Khan who obviously rubs Nawaz the wrong way. The actor says that he does not understand the rumours about him and Irrfan. "He's 20 years my senior and I respect him," he says. Will he take a page from Irrfan's book and get into production or look to make an impact in Hollywood? "He's not the first one to make a name for himself in the West.
Kabir Bedi became an international star years before, so did Om Puri, Amrish Puri and Naseeruddin Shah. If I get a good script, I'll do it. But I can't think of producing films right now. Let me focus on acting. After years I'm in a position to pick and choose and your talent is recognised by the roles you pick," he reasons. So, if 'Bhaijaan' Salman wants him to return in Kick 2 will he? "How can I? I died in the first film," he protests. In Hindi cinema everything is possible. "Well, if they want me to return from the grave, may be, I'll do it for the Devil," he grins.
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