EXCLUSIVE: Nawazuddin Siddiqui recalls being directed by Irrfan Khan, shares legendary actor’s tip that changed his mindset

by

Nawazuddin Siddiqui is highly regarded as a skilled actor in Bollywood, recognized for his complex characters and fearless storytelling style. In an exclusive interview with TopMob, the actor discussed his lasting professional relationship with the late Irrfan Khan, a prominent figure in Indian cinema. Recollecting their collaborations, Nawaz fondly shared a touching tale that showcased their creative harmony while offering a valuable nugget of advice that significantly influenced his perspective on acting.

“Over the years, we’ve worked together on nearly eight projects – some TV shows, films, and even short films. He also directed me in a film, and I directed him in another. We even did a film together where he directed, and I was one of the leads. However, after considering directing as a career path, he decided to focus on acting again, but he eventually found a project and directed it. So, we collaborated on that film,” Nawaz reminisced.

He went on to explain that out of all his experiences with Irrfan Khan, one story in particular stuck with him. During rehearsals, he remembered a scene where he needed to speak dialogue to an actress. After watching him, Irrfan offered him valuable advice about acting, suggesting that by reducing the dialogue, it would make a stronger impact because it was more suitable for the audio-visual format. This instance, Nawazuddin pointed out, underlined the significance of the principle “less is more.

Watch the full conversation here:

The philosophy “less is more” has become a guiding principle for Nawazuddin Siddiqui in his acting career, evident in his choice of roles. Renowned for understated yet impactful performances, Nawaz is an actor who often lets pauses and facial expressions carry the weight of the story, a talent cultivated over years of learning from masters such as Irrfan.

Recently, Nawazuddin appeared in Costao, a biographical crime drama currently streaming on ZEE5. The film unfolds against the gritty backdrop of 1990s Goa and centers around a brave customs officer who confronts a powerful smuggling network while facing resistance from both criminals and his own department. Nawaz takes on the lead role of Costao Fernandes, a man of principle navigating a deeply corrupt system. The film, helmed by debut director Sejal Shah, has garnered praise for its taut storytelling and captivating performance by Nawazuddin. The cast also includes Priya Bapat, Kishore Kumar G, Gagan Dev Riar, and Hussain Dalal.

In the future, Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s lineup of projects continues to promise intrigue with upcoming films like Section 108, Noorani Chehra, Sangeen, and Raat Akeli Hai 2.

Read More

2025-05-08 03:52