No stardom, just stories – Nawazuddin’s mantra

Nawazuddin Siddiqui, one of Hindi cinema's most versatile actors, is renowned not just for his ability to embody diverse characters but for his desire to merge into the backdrop, much like the mythical invisibility cloak from the Harry Potter series. Unlike most movie stars, Siddiqui revels in the anonymity of the crowd, a quality he cherishes both on and off-screen.

In a candid interview with PTI, Siddiqui shared, "It's very difficult for me to make myself presentable and stand out. But I feel very good that I am sitting in a corner and no one is looking at me... rather, I'm observing others. I feel the world is a 70mm film, and I'm watching it."

From his humble beginnings in Budhana, Muzaffarnagar, to the esteemed corridors of Delhi's National School of Drama, and finally to the bustling streets of Mumbai, Siddiqui’s journey is the stuff of dreams. He migrated from a life spent watching C-grade films in his hometown to being introduced to world cinema at drama school, bypassing mainstream Bollywood in the process.

Now 50, Siddiqui approaches each role as a fresh challenge. His latest venture on ZEE5 sees him portraying Costao Fernandes, a former customs officer with a story rooted in reality. However, if Siddiqui had to choose one of his roles as a travel companion, it would be the unassuming tourist photographer from Ritesh Batra's "Photograph". "I like such characters who get lost in the crowd," he explained.

This philosophy runs counter to the typical actor's ambition of being noticed. "I don't want it. My aim is to not stand out even in real life," Siddiqui stated, a sentiment echoed by his colleague Manoj Bajpayee, who notes Siddiqui’s ability to blend seamlessly into crowds.

Siddiqui has tackled a diverse range of roles, portraying characters across the moral spectrum. From the controversial to the revered, his performances in "Manto", "Thackeray", and "Raman Raghav 2.0" speak to his commitment to complex narratives. "I don't want to be fixed in a certain kind of image," he said. "The characters which are close to real people are more fun to do."

His ability to flit between roles and personas keeps the craft exciting. "If I keep repeating myself, I will get bored. As an actor, you should be prepared for an exam every day."

While he has participated in numerous biopics, Siddiqui finds portraying real-life figures particularly challenging. His dedication to immersing himself in these roles often blurs the line between the actor and the person he's portraying, as evidenced by his performance as Costao Fernandes, which drew praise for its authenticity.

Despite his acclaim, Siddiqui finds the concept of success elusive. To him, success is defined by the ability to continually discover and reinvent himself through his roles. "If I execute a scene properly, that's success for me on that day."

Siddiqui's future slate is as busy as ever with projects like "Raat Akeli Hai 2", "Section 108", "Faraar", and "Thama". Fans can also look forward to his return to long-format storytelling in the Indian adaptation of "House" following his ventures "McMafia" and "Sacred Games".

With his latest release "Costao", debuting on May 1, Siddiqui continues to prove that blending in can be just as powerful as standing out.