Nawazuddin Siddiqui
Nawazuddin Siddiqui ([nəˈwaːzʊdːiːn sɪdːiːqi:]; born 19 May 1974) is an Indian actor known for his work in Hindi cinema.[1][5] He is best known for his roles in The Lunchbox (2013), Manto (2018),[6] and Raman Raghav 2.0.[7] As many as eight films in which he features have been screened at the Cannes Film Festival.[8]
Early life
Siddiqui was born on 19 May 1974 in Budhana, a small town in Muzaffarnagar district, Uttar Pradesh, India,[9] into a zamindari Muslim family of Lambardars.[1][2] He is the eldest of eight siblings.[10] He spent most of his youth in Uttarakhand.[11][12]
He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from Gurukul Kangri Vishwavidyalaya, Haridwar. Following this, he worked as a chemist in Vadodara for a year, before leaving for Delhi in search of a new job. Once in Delhi, he was instantly drawn to acting after watching a play. In pursuit of securing admission to the National School of Drama (NSD) in New Delhi, he acted in over ten plays with a group of friends, including one in Dehradun,[11] to fulfill one of the criteria for admission.[1]
He is an alumnus of the National School of Drama. Siddiqui's feature film debut was alongside director Prashant Bhargava in Patang (2012).[13] He gained international recognition for his work in Black Friday (2007), Kahaani (2011), the 2012 Gangs of Wasseypur duology, and Raman Raghav 2.0 (2016). The actor has won several awards, including a National Film Award, an IIFA Award, and two Filmfare Awards, as well as a nomination for an International Emmy.[14] He has starred in two Emmy-nominated series, Sacred Games (2019)[15] and the British McMafia.
Career
Siddiqui went to the National School of Drama in New Delhi.[16] After graduating in 1999, he moved to Mumbai.[17]
He made his Bollywood debut in the year 1999 with a small role in the Aamir Khan starrer Sarfarosh.[18][verification needed] He then appeared in Ram Gopal Varma's 1999 film Shool and the 2000 film Jungle, as well as Rajkumar Hirani's Munnabhai MBBS (2003). After moving to Mumbai, he tried to get work in television serials but did not achieve much success.[19][20] He did a short film, The Bypass, in 2003, where he appeared with Irrfan Khan.[citation needed] Beyond that, between 2002 and 2005, he was largely out of work and lived in a flat that he shared with four other people, surviving by conducting occasional acting workshops.[19] In 2004, which was one of the worst years of his struggle, Siddiqui couldn't pay rent. He asked an NSD senior if he could stay with him. The senior allowed him to share his apartment in Goregaon suburb if he was willing to cook meals for him.[21]
Between 2004 and 2007, Siddiqui had a few minor roles, including in the film Black Friday, which came out in 2007 and was a nominee for the Golden Leopard. In 2009, he appeared in a cameo role in the song "Emotional Atyachar" in the movie Dev D, playing the role of Rangila. He performed a duet with Rasila (known together as Patna ke Presley). In the same year, he appeared in New York. However, it was his role of a journalist in Anusha Rizvi's 2010 film Peepli Live, that first got him wide recognition as an actor.[22] In 2012, he appeared in Prashant Bhargava's Patang: The Kite, which premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival and the Tribeca Film Festival. Siddiqui's performance was praised by film critic Roger Ebert,[23] who stated that the role "transformed his acting style"[24] and he awarded the actor the 'Thumbsup Trophy'. The film was subsequently released in the U.S. and Canada and garnered much attention, with rave reviews from The New York Times.[25]
Siddiqui then appeared in the 2012 film Kahaani, in which he played the archetypal short-tempered intelligence officer Khan. Anurag Kashyap's gangster epic Gangs of Wasseypur followed, which furthered the actor's fame.[26] He played his first primary role as Sonu Duggal in Ashim Ahluwalia's Miss Lovely,[27] which premiered at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival,[28][29] a role Siddiqui describes as his "most real performance so far".[30] Siddiqui then followed this with the sequel to Gangs of Wasseypur. In 2013, he played the lead role in the horror flick Aatma.[31] The Lunchbox premiered as part of the International Critics' Week at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival and won him multiple awards.[6] He appeared in Aamir Khan's 2012 release Talaash. He received the Special Jury Award at the 2012 National Film Awards[32][33] and the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2013 for The Lunchbox. In 2014, he played the lead antagonist Shiv Gajra in the blockbuster Kick.[34]
In 2015, Siddiqui's films Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Manjhi – The Mountain Man were released, and he was praised for his roles. His work in Raman Raghav 2.0 in 2016 won him the Fancine Malaga Award in Spain[7] and in the Asia Pacific Screen Awards,[35] both in the category of Best Actor. The 2018 film Manto was a groundbreaking performance that won him Best Actor at the 2018 Asia Pacific Screen Awards.[6]
Celebrated author Paulo Coelho has recommended Sacred Games to his Twitter followers and lauded Nawazuddin's work, calling it "One of the best series on Netflix with the great actor Nawazuddin".[36]
In 2021, he was seen in the American-Bangladeshi-Indian film No Land's Man.[37]
In 2022, Siddiqui will appear in Jogira Sara Ra Ra and Heropanti 2.[38][39] In the same year, he is also set to star in Kangana Ranaut's Tiku Weds Sheru, opposite Avneet Kaur.[40]
Personal life
Siddiqui has been married twice. As a teenager and young adult, he was in a stormy relationship with a Hindu Brahmin woman, Anjana Kishor Pandey, who also grew up in Budhana, Uttar Pradesh. After moving to Mumbai, Siddiqui invited her to move in with him, and the couple had a prolonged but strained live-in relationship that ended in 2010. Siddiqui then married a woman named Sheeba, a marriage that did not last long, and the couple divorced in 2012. Already by this time, Siddiqui was dating a woman from New Jersey named Suzanne, and then he had a brief relationship with Niharika Singh, a starlet who acted with him in a TV serial.[41]
Siddiqui later reconnected with Pandey, and after she converted to Islam and changed her first name to Aalia, they married and had two children, a daughter and a son.[42] The marriage soon went downhill, however, and in May 2020, Aalia Siddiqui announced on social media that she was seeking a divorce.[43][44]
Siddiqui lives in Mumbai with his younger brother, Shamas Nawab,[45] an aspiring film director. When not busy acting, he likes to spend time in his hometown of Budhana, where he owns a farm.[46] In a May 2021 interview, he revealed that he now spends the major part of his time there.[47]
Filmography
Accolades
Siddiqui's first lead role in a feature film was in Prashant Bhargava's Patang, which premiered at the Berlin Film Festival, in which his performance has been praised by noted film critic Roger Ebert (awarding the film 4/4 stars),[23] who stated that the role "transformed his acting style".[24]
Siddiqui was awarded the Special Jury Award at the 60th National Film Awards 2012 for his work in the films Kahaani, Gangs of Wasseypur, Dekh Indian Circus, and Talaash.[48]
Major associations
Film festival awards
| Year | Festival | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | New York Indian Film Festival | Best Actor | Dekh Indian Circus | Won | [55][56] |
| 2013 | Asia Pacific Film Festival | Best Supporting Actor | The Lunchbox | Won | |
| 2014 | Chicago South Asian Film Festival | Outstanding Achievement in Cinema | — | Won | [57] |
| 2017 | New York Indian Film Festival | Best Actor | Haraamkhor | Won | [58] |
| 2019 | Asian Film Talent Award (SIFF) | Lesley Ho Asian Film Talent | Sacred Games | Won | [59] |
| Cardiff International Film festival | Golden Dragon Award for Excellence in Cinema | — | Won | [60] |
Other awards
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | GQ Men of the Year Awards | Breakthrough Personality of the Year | — | Won | [61][62] |
| 2013 | Stardust Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Kahaani | Won | |
| 2018 | GQ Men of the Year Awards | Actor of the Year | Manto | Won | |
| Indian Television Academy Awards | Best Actor – Web Series | Sacred Games | Nominated | ||
| iReel Awards | Best Actor (Drama) | Won | [63] |
References
- ^ a b c d Siddiqui, Nawazuddin (24 August 2015). Guftagoo with Nawazuddin Siddiqui (in Hindi). India: Rajya Sabha TV. Event occurs at 2:15. Archived from the original on 30 October 2021.
- ^ a b "I've struggled for over 15 years, hope is what saw me through: Nawazuddin Siddiqui". The Indian Express. 2 August 2015. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
- ^ Bari, Nishat (15 September 2012). "Rural Rockstars: Nawazuddin Siddiqui carved his own space in Bollywood through his unique roles". India Today. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
- ^ https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/nawazuddin-siddiqui-s-wife-aaliya-says-she-might-file-for-divorce-amid-dispute-101676034012711.html
- ^ PTI (24 April 2017) Watch: Nawazuddin Siddiqui Explains That He Isn't Just a [[Muslim, But a Bit of All Religions] HuffPost. Retrieved 24 April 2017.
- ^ a b c "Manto director Nandita Das honoured at Asia Pacific Screen Awards; Nawazuddin Siddiqui named Best Actor – Entertainment News, Firstpost". Firstpost. 29 November 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
- ^ a b "Fancine Awards" (in European Spanish). Retrieved 7 December 2019.
- ^ "Nawazuddin Siddiqui honoured with Golden Dragon Award for excellence in cinema". The National Herald. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
- ^ Ram, Sharmila Ganesan (22 October 2017). "In Bollywood, the heroine is still a prop and the hero must dance and shoot people: Nawazuddin Siddiqui". The Times of India. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
- ^ . Tehelka. July 2012. Archived from the original on 18 July 2012. Retrieved 16 March 2012.
- ^ a b "Acting in Town Hall, star gazing in Maldevta: What makes Doon so special for Nawazuddin Siddiqui? - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
- ^ "Actor Nawazuddin's family caught in Uttarakhand weather havoc". India Today. IANS. 22 June 2013. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
- ^ Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (25 August 2012). "Patang' soars high". The Hindu.
- ^ "Nawazuddin Siddiqui seen farming while on family vacation in UP". Hindustan Times. 12 September 2015. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
- ^ "GQ Men of the Year Awards 2018: Nawazuddin Siddiqui wins Actor of the Year, Saif Ali Khan is style legend". The Indian Express. 28 September 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
- ^ "Bollywood diaries! Nawazuddin Siddiqui's journey from a watchman to darling of crossover cinema". Celebrities. India Today. Mail Today. 4 November 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
- ^ "'I learnt a long time ago to not let how I look affect me' — Nawazuddin Siddiqui". The Telegraph. Kolkata. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
- ^ . 1 August 2012. Archived from the original on 13 August 2012.
- ^ a b "My family counts only the Khans as actors". The Indian Express. 27 May 2012.
- ^ . The Times of India. 15 March 2012. Archived from the original on 28 September 2013.
- ^ Sinha, Chinki. "Now Starring: Nawazuddin Siddiqui". openthemagazine. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
- ^ Won't do second lead anymore: Nawazuddin Siddiqui 25 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine CNN-IBN, 18 March 2012.
- ^ a b "Patang Movie Review & Film Summary (2012)". Chicago Sun-Times. 13 June 2012.
- ^ a b . 13 June 2012. Archived from the original on 30 June 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
- ^ Saltz, Rachel (14 June 2012). "The Old Neighborhood, in India: 'Patang' ('The Kite'), Directed by Prashant Bhargava". The New York Times. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
- ^ Vyavahare, Renuka (11 July 2012). . The Times of India. Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. Archived from the original on 15 July 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
- ^ Verma, Anupam Kant (4 May 2012). "Cheap, yet lovely". live mint. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
- ^ "2012 Official Selection". Cannes. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
- ^ "Miss Lovely is India's entry at Cannes". Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times. 19 April 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
- ^ Khan, Taran N. (31 July 2012). "The late but unstoppable rise of Nawazuddin Siddiqui". The Caravan. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
- ^ . Archived from the original on 7 July 2012. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
- ^ Sen, Zinia (20 March 2013). "I was a rejected actor: Nawazuddin Siddiqui". The Times of India. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
- ^ Bhatia, Vivek (5 July 2012). . Filmfare.com. Archived from the original on 19 July 2012. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
- ^ Hebbar, Prajakta (26 July 2014). "Why Nawazuddin Siddiqui is the perfect nemesis for Salman Khan in 'Kick'". News18. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
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- ^ "Paulo Coelho praises Nawazuddin in Sacred Games, actor has a fan moment". India Today. Press Trust of India. 16 September 2019. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
- ^ "A.R. Rahman on board Nawazuddin Siddiqui's international film 'No Land's Man'". The Hindu. 11 June 2020. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
- ^ "Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Neha Sharma to star in rom-com 'Jogira Sara Ra Ra'". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
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- ^ "First Look: Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Avneet Kaur are dressed in traditional outfits in Tiku Weds Sheru". Bollywood Hungama. 8 November 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
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- ^ Panchal, Komal RJ (19 May 2010). "Nawazuddin Siddiqui's wife Aalia Siddiqui seeks divorce, sends legal notice to actor". The Indian Express.
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- ^ Das, Anirban (18 June 2013). . Hindustan Times. HT Media Limited. Archived from the original on 17 December 2014. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
- ^ "Nawazuddin to Buy a Plot in Maharashtra for Farming, Aims to Educate Farmers on New Techniques". The Times of India. 6 August 2018. Retrieved 25 December 2019.
- ^ Mankermi, Shivani (3 May 2021). "Nawazuddin Siddiqui: I have returned to Budhana to be with my mother and family". Entertainment Times. Timesofindia.com. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
- ^ "List of Awards Announced in various categories for the 60th National Film Awards" (PDF) (Press release). Press Information Bureau (PIB), India. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
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- ^ . IIFA. Archived from the original on 12 March 2019. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
- ^ "International Emmy awards: Nominations for Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Vir Das and web series 'Aarya'". Scroll.in. 23 September 2021. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
- ^ "Filmfare OTT Awards 2020: Big Night for Paatal Lok and the Family Man. Complete List of Winners". NDTV.com. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
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- ^ "Dekh Indian Circus: Nawazuddin plays a mute man". News18. Retrieved 25 December 2019.
- ^ . Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 12 April 2013.
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- ^ "Nawazuddin Siddiqui: Honoured to receive Best Actor Award at NYIFF". India Today. IANS. 12 May 2015. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
- ^ "Nawazuddin Siddiqui honoured with Lesley Ho Asian Film Talent Award at Singapore International Film Festival- Entertainment News, Firstpost". Firstpost. 24 November 2019. Retrieved 25 December 2019.
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- ^ . Archived from the original on 18 August 2016. Retrieved 12 April 2013.
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- ^ "News18 iReel Awards 2018: Check Out the Complete List of Winners Here". News18. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
External links
- Nawazuddin Siddiqui at IMDb
- Nawazuddin Siddiqui at Rotten Tomatoes
- Nawazuddin Siddiqui at Bollywood Hungama