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EXCLUSIVE: ‘It is wrong to say I over shadow Salman Khan’ – Nawazuddin Siddiqui
Nawazuddin Siddiqui is on a career high! The versatile actor, who has slogged hard for almost a decade to carve his own position in Bollywood, is now on every director’s wish list. His latest movie ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ with Salman Khan has hit the theatres today. In a candid chat, Nawaz shares his B-town journey, his experience of working with Khans – Salman, Shah Rukh and Aamir, his desire to work with Kareena and more.
This is your second film with both Kabir Khan and Salman Khan. How was the experience?
When I worked with Kabir Khan in ‘New York’ we were in Philadelphia for a month. We got to bond more since it was an outdoor shoot. Kabir especially is a kind of director who doesn’t brief the actor before the take. He wants the actor to explore the performance. He provides a platform to the actor. Hence I wanted to work with him again. And ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ happened and I loved the ultimate script. Salman Khan was the cherry on the cake. There was ease working with him because he creates that kind of work environment.
When I did ‘Kick’ with Salman Khan, we didn’t bond much because the film was majorly shot in Mumbai. It was a professional route. But this time when we went to shoot in Kashmir, we got lot of time and hence we got to know each other more. We shared a lot with each other and discussed many things including acting. I had fun.
Many people thought that in ‘Kick’ you over shadowed Salman Khan. Do you agree to it?
No I don’t agree to this. And saying things like ‘I overshadow Salman Khan’ is wrong. Salman has his own charm, magic. Thousands of people flock to theatres to watch his films. I am just a small part of his films. The advantage I have of working with him is that my other not so commercial films get publicity. Salman has achieved and sustained for so many years and he inspires me. I have to learn that from him and also how to sustain stardom. Even Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan are achievers. So nobody overshadows anyone.
You play a journalist in ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’. How did you prepare for the role?
I play a reporter in the movie and to prepare for the role I watched videos of how people report. I saw many glimpses on youtube. I mixed and matched elements and prepped up for the role.
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Harshali Malhotra, the little girl is all over. How was it working with her?
It is difficult to work with kids since they are moody. It was tough working with her. But when she was facing the camera, Salman bhai and I decided that we both won’t act with her because we would look fake. Kids have great conviction. In front of her, we used to forget our performance.
You are working with Kareena Kapoor Khan for second time. In ‘Talaash’ you didn’t have many scenes with her. Was there any luck this time?
This time also I don’t have scenes with Kareena Kapoor. It is my bad luck! May be next time I might get an opportunity to work with her. Then I will tell the director specifically to give me some scenes with her (laughs).
You are one of the rare actor who has worked with all three Khans. What have you learnt from them?
When I am working with them in a scene, I never think of them as Superstars. It is like disrespecting his character that they are portraying. Every actor should feel that their co-actor is a character. Their stardom shouldn’t affect your performance. I have learnt humbleness from all three Khans – Shah Rukh, Aamir and Salman. Even if I let the stardom go over my head, I won’t be able to have the starry airs because I have seen these biggest superstars are so grounded.
Lastly, how has been your Bollywood journey?
Bollywood journey has been great. It was a difficult time for me in the initial 10-12 years. Now I have come to a position where I can choose. The journey has been interesting.
Urvi Parikh has a large experience in Bollywood and entertainment field. She holds a BMM in Journalism from the
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