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nawazuddin

siddiqui :

i’m done with my quota

of small roles

content with India and the diversity of roles he is which was not the typical rapid production in
getting to do. Bollywood style. He compliments his director’s
“For the time being, I am satisfied that all my attitude towards the script and the film.
directors in India are giving me characters that are “See when Nandita told me that the film is just
pretty challenging and I am happy doing those.” not the stories of Manto but his life as well, I
“Just for the sake of a branding that I am an was hooked to it.” “Manto’s life in itself is very
international star, I would not do that. How many interesting. This was perhaps four years back and
films in the world are like ‘Manto’? Very few. we tried all these years to make the concept that
So, I have no such predetermined affiliation for she was building come true. I just understood that

Having risen from an actor who began his career international projects. I am proud of Nandita and this character will let me achieve a lot and will take
with small bits in various films, Nawazuddin a film like this is no way less than any international away a lot of things that I always wanted to give
Siddiqui has clearly reached a point where he has film.” as an actor.”
shown not only his versatility, but also the ability to On him getting typecast, Nawazuddin said, “I think “Nandita’s research was impeccable and what I
hold films on his own. The actor, who will be seen it’s completely a wrong conception. If I am doing got in my hands was almost half baked. It was a
playing writer Saadat Hasan Manto and late Shiv (playing) Bal Thackeray and Manto at the same pleasure working with her,” he said. On his own
Sena supremo Bal Thackeray in separate films, time, how can one say that I am typecast? The preparation for the role, he said he had already
said he’s done with cameos. Bollywood heroes are typecast, they do the same read Manto’s stories and had also enacted one of
Here for his film ‘Manto’, which features in the thing all their life and they are never asked these them, which made it easier for him to cast himself
Cannes Film Festival’s Un Certain Regard section, questions.” in the role.
Nawazuddin was all praise for the film’s director “Now the films made in India are allowing actors “I am not a writer, so I can only behave like a
Nandita Das’ “impeccable research”. like us to step in the shoes of lead characters and writer...It’s not possible to be a writer. What I could
He shies away from naming a favourite director that makes us versatile. So, those who are still do was create an impression of a writer on-screen.
or even sharing his wish list. “If I take names, the doing this (stretches his hand) are typecast, not I have tried to that. I have always tried to portray
others will feel bad about it. As an actor, I only me,” he said. the ground reality of a character whenever I acted.”
look at stories, script and most importantly my The heavy downpour that accompanied the “Manto’s writing in itself is depiction of truth in
character in the film. There is also a selfishness interview perhaps reflected the emotional response every form and Nandita has always told us to
that works and I think it’s quite normal that I look of the viewers to ‘Manto’ at the screening here exercise that in our performances. Not only had
for characters that will challenge me and push me in Cannes. The actor said the period film clearly I, but each one of us tried not to be a cliche when
to the limits,” Nawazuddin told this correspondent. touched a chord with the audience at Cannes. portraying their parts in the film. I can’t specifically
He is clear that there is no room for any more “I have seen people crying in the audience, there say one I like all the stories of Manto.”
cameo appearances for him. “No, I will not do were people who came out with a very satisfied “I read them and I love them. I had done ‘Toba Tek
it anymore (laughs). It’s as simple as that, why face. And the best part was I think the film has tried Singh’ maybe twenty years back, so I relate to it.
will I do them? I am done with my quota of small to hit the conscience of people very hard. There Otherwise, stories like ‘Khol Do’, ‘Kali Salwar’ or
roles,” he said. Nawazuddin is also venturing into were many who came up to me and said that ‘Thanda Gosht’ are all my favourites.”
production, taking on projects such as ‘Manto’ as the film was very well timed,” Nawazuddin said.
a co-producer. That should not be surprise as the film’s director,
“There are some upcoming films that I am co- Nandita, has always found a warm reception at
producing as well. My brother is very much into Cannes, where she has had her films screened
this doing the scouting for me. I definitely want and also been a part of the jury.
to produce films as well,” he said. He rules out Nawazuddin said a lot of hard work and impeccable
exploring foreign shores for roles, saying he is research has gone into the making of “Manto”,
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