Nawazuddin Siddiqui is back playing a ‘struggler' 15 years after his big break 'Sarfarosh'

Time of India

16-06-2025

For
Nawazuddin Siddiqui
, the story of struggle isn't just a chapter in his life—it's the foundation of his entire journey. Though he technically made his big-screen debut in
John Matthew Matthan
's Sarfarosh back in 1999, Nawazuddin's true moment under the spotlight arrived much later, in 2012, with Anurag Kashyap's Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 2.
That film didn't just launch him—it rewrote his destiny.
But it took him fourteen long years to get there. Years filled with rejection, hardship, and relentless hustle. That deep-seated experience of battling through the fringes of the film industry has shaped the actor he is today, making him uniquely connected to roles that capture the essence of the underdog.
In fact, Nawaz's uncanny ability to embody struggling artists was already evident in
Dibakar Banerjee
's Star from the 2013 anthology Bombay Talkies.
The role fit him like a second skin—it didn't feel like acting; it felt like reliving.
Now, over a decade since his breakout, Nawazuddin is stepping back into familiar territory with 'Main Actor Nahi Hoon' (which translates to I'm Not An Actor), directed by
Aditya Kripalani
. This time, he plays a man who, despite living in Germany, works as an acting coach for a woman in Mumbai—their entire connection unfolding through FaceTime calls.
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The film promises to explore ambition, mentorship, and identity through a unique storytelling format that mirrors today's hyper-digital world.
For Nawazuddin, stepping into the mind space of a struggling actor still feels instinctive. In a candid conversation with SCREEN magazine, he shared, 'It's very easy because that phase was very long. I was a struggling actor for 12-15 years. I'm still struggling, though in different ways.
But yes, when you have first-hand experience, it becomes quite easy to play a character.'
His words reveal something many might miss—the struggle never really leaves. It just changes shape. Even after years of success and critical acclaim, Nawaz continues to navigate challenges, albeit on a different scale today.
'Main Actor Nahi Hoon' recently had its world premiere at the Cinequest Film Festival in San Jose, California—fittingly close to Apple's headquarters, a small nod to the tech-driven storytelling that the film seems to embrace.
As Nawazuddin looks ahead, his plate is full. He will next be seen in Noorani Chehra, Sangeen, and the much-anticipated Raat Akeli Hai 2. But no matter how far he travels, it's clear that the role of the struggler—the relentless dreamer—will always be home turf for him.