Nawazuddin Siddiqui reveals he cried when Kamal Haasan told him his role from Hey Ram has cut, says, "I told him meri bezzati ho jayegi"

Kamal and Nawaz

Nawazuddin Siddiqui's journey to Bollywood stardom wasn't paved with instant success. He faced his share of rejections and disappointments, including a particularly painful experience with Kamal Haasan's "Hey Ram." Before he became a household name, Nawazuddin was not only working as an assistant director on the film but was also given a small yet significant role. His excitement, however, was short-lived. Just before the film's premiere, he received devastating news: his scene had been cut.

Nawazuddin recounted this disheartening experience on "The Kapil Sharma Show," sharing the humiliation and heartbreak he felt.

"Its premiere was held at Film City in Mumbai and I took at least 5-6 of my friends. I told them, ‘Boss Hey Ram aarahi hai, Maine kaam kia hai usmein (I have worked in that film).’ Everyone came." He had proudly invited his friends, eager to see himself on the big screen alongside his idol, Kamal Haasan. The anticipation was palpable.

However, fate had other plans. "Before the film began, Kamal Haasan sahab came to me and said, ‘Nawaz, apne doston ko bol do ki tumhara role cut gaya hai (Tell your friends your role has been cut).’" The news hit Nawazuddin like a ton of bricks. He was not just disappointed; he was deeply embarrassed. "A heartbroken Nawaz told Kamal Haasan, “Sir meri bahut bezzati ho jayegi (Sir, I will be utterly humiliated)."

He had built up this moment, sharing his achievement with his friends, only to have it snatched away at the last minute. The thought of facing them after such a public letdown was almost unbearable. "I went to my friends and I started crying and I told my friends that my role had been cut. I gave them the choice to watch the film or not but they wanted to watch it," he recalled, his voice tinged with the memory of that painful moment. He had offered his friends an out, understanding their potential disappointment, but their loyalty and support shone through.

Adding a touch of kindness to the story, Nawazuddin mentioned that Kamal Haasan's daughter, Shruti, had offered him comfort during this difficult time.

Despite the crushing blow, Nawazuddin didn't give up. He channeled his disappointment into determination and went on to establish himself as one of the most respected and versatile actors in the Indian film industry. His story is a testament to the power of perseverance and a reminder that setbacks, however painful, can be stepping stones to future success.

Kamal Haasan himself acknowledged Nawazuddin's talent and the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the cut scene. Remembering Nawazuddin on "The Kapil Sharma Show," Kamal Haasan said, “I am proud of him. He was also an assistant director of Hey Ram. He was a fantastic actor even then, wo footage ki wajah se scene cut ho gaya (the scene was cut because of the footage). He’s talking about it casually now, but that day he was heartbroken.” This acknowledgment from Kamal Haasan underscores the respect he has for Nawazuddin's journey and talent, highlighting the bittersweet nature of the incident.