Nawazuddin Siddiqui has long been recognized for his ability to bring deeply impactful and thought-provoking stories to life. Over the years, Siddiqui has carved out a distinctive niche in the entertainment industry with his exceptional performances and dedication to his craft. Known for his natural acting style and methodical approach, he has consistently delivered roles that resonate powerfully with audiences and critics alike.
One of the most notable highlights of Siddiqui’s career is his role in the film ‘New York’. The actor portrayed Zilgai, a character who becomes a symbol of suffering and resilience after being arrested on suspicion of having a hand in 9/11, only to be released but forever scarred by the trauma.
In an old interview, Director Kabir Khan reflected on Siddiqui’s portrayal in the film, stating, “Ali Abbas Zafar was my assistant (director) on New York. He showed me Nawazuddin’s audition. I said do anything but we have to get this guy.”
Kabir Khan described a particularly intense scene involving Siddiqui, quoting, “It’s a non-stop 3-4 minute take and I never did another take because when I said cut, some of the people in the crew were crying and some of them were clapping. I remember Irrfan walking in half an hour later and he said everyone’s talking about Nawaz’s performance.”
Praising Siddiqui’s exceptional acting prowess, the director added, “It was quite an intense scene and Nawaz just did it in one shot which proves what an impactful and method actor he is. He is simply natural. Delivering a scene that is 3-4 minutes nonstop and intense doesn't come easy but that is what Nawaz is all about, an actor par excellence. Everyone was spellbound by his acting chops and his caliber of just nailing a scene.”
The profound impact of Siddiqui’s performance even moved the late Irrfan Khan to tears. “I took Irrfan to the monitor and I played it and as he was watching it, tears were streaming down Irrfan’s face. He went and hugged Nawaz,” Kabir Khan recalled.
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As Nawazuddin Siddiqui continues to deliver remarkable performances across diverse roles, his work in New York stands as a striking example of his unparalleled skill and his significant contribution to cinema.
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