Nawazuddin Siddiqui has recently voiced his support for Ranveer Singh, responding to criticism regarding Singh's method acting approach. The debate began when actor Prashant Narayanan questioned Ranveer Singh's authenticity, accusing him of fabricating his method acting experience for his role in the film Padmaavat.
In defence of Ranveer, Nawazuddin emphasised the importance of understanding an actor's process and the dedication it requires. He pointed out that those who dismiss method acting as fake fail to comprehend the depth and commitment involved in such an approach. "The people who are calling it fake, did they bother to understand the actor’s process? Did they bother to understand how he was living his life when he was creating the character? They are simply judging him. We don’t know what a man is thinking when he’s coming up with a characterisation,” Nawazuddin stated.
He further explained that diving deep into a character is a painful and intense process. Nawazuddin criticised those who call it pretentious, describing such judgments as irresponsible. He drew a parallel to Heath Ledger's iconic performance in The Dark Knight noting that without a rigorous process, such achievements wouldn't be possible. "If there was no process, then what Heath Ledger did in The Dark Knight would not be possible... That man was extremely serious about his performance and that is why he excelled in the character; that’s how iconic characters are born."
Nawazuddin also underscored the necessity of actors exploring uncomfortable spaces to embody their characters authentically. He illustrated this by referencing the intense and immersive methods employed by dedicated actors, including locking themselves away or enduring significant mental strain to achieve a genuine portrayal.
The controversy began when Prashant Narayanan, during an interview with Siddharth Kannan, accused Ranveer of dishonesty regarding his method acting. Narayanan claimed, “Woh jhoot bol raha hai. Yeh dark spaces mein jana, yeh sab karna yeh bakwas ki baatein hai.”
Nawazuddin also mentioned other actors who have made similar critiques, such as Jim Sarbh. In an interview with The Quint, Sarbh mocked actors who claim they were deeply affected by their roles, implying that such statements are exaggerated. This was seen by many as a subtle dig at Ranveer Singh, who had previously shared how he isolated himself to prepare for his dark role as Alauddin Khilji in Padmaavat.
Ranveer's portrayal of Alauddin Khilji in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 2018 film received wide acclaim, with many praising his ability to delve into the dark and complex nature of the character. However, the recent criticisms have sparked a debate about the validity and recognition of method acting within the industry.
Nawazuddin's defence of Ranveer is rooted in his belief that undermining an actor's process without understanding it is unjust. He emphasised that acting is a craft that requires a significant emotional and psychological investment. "When you dive deep into a character, it is a very painful process. This is a very irresponsible thing to say."
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