Latest news with #GangsofWasseypur–Part2
Hindustan Times
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Interview Rajkummar Rao says ‘not having a film background' gave him freedom to find his own voice
Actor Rajkummar Rao has showcased his versatility by taking on a wide range of roles across different genres, from supernatural and comedy to thriller to gangster drama and rom-com, all within the span of a year. He credits his outsider status in Bollywood for allowing him the creative freedom to experiment and find his unique voice as an actor. Rajkummar Rao was last seen in Maalik. On being an outsider Rajkummar made his debut with the anthology film Love Sex Aur Dhokha, going on to take supporting parts in films such as Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 2 and Talaash: The Answer Lies Within. He received acclaim with his roles in Kai Po Che, CityLights and Shahid. Looking back at his roots, Rajkummar feels his outsider status has worked in his favour. 'Not having a film background gave me the freedom to find my own voice. There were no expectations to follow a path. I am very proud of my journey and would not trade it for anything else. And it definitely helped me stay grounded,' Rajkummar tells us. Lately, he has featured in projects such as Stree, Maalik, Bhool Chuk Maaf and Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video. We ask him whether experimenting with diverse films is a conscious effort to escape stereotypes, and he is quick to note, 'Yes, very much so." 'I've always wanted to explore as many kinds of stories and characters as possible. Whether it's something serious or something lighthearted, I want to keep discovering new parts of myself as an actor. It keeps the work exciting and real,' adds the actor, who will soon embrace fatherhood. On staying true to the artistic vision Talking about striking a balance between staying true to the artistic vision with the commercial realities, Rajkummar shares, 'It's a balancing act, but I don't think they always have to clash.' 'Some of the most meaningful films I've done have also done well commercially. I think if your choices come from an honest place, they connect with people. That's always been my approach- Do the work that matters to me and trust that it will find its audience,' he adds. On the responsibility that comes with star status Rajkummar acknowledges the responsibility that comes with his growing star status, recognising that many people look up to him, and is mindful of the impact his actions and choices may have. That's why he is very selective about the brands that he endorses. 'For me, endorsing a brand isn't just a business decision. It reflects who I am and what I stand for. People, especially younger audiences, pay attention to these choices. So, I take that responsibility extremely seriously,' says Rajkummar, who recently became the face of home improvement and lifestyle retailers MR. DIY. He explains, 'Like this one comes with a no-fuss approach, which I relate to. It's not trying to be flashy or over-the-top. It's about being useful and accessible, and I think that's something that matches how I see myself too… Whether it's a product or a message, I look for something that adds value or speaks to people in a genuine way. I stay away from anything that feels superficial or isn't in line with how I live my life. If I don't connect with it personally, I won't promote it.' Rajkummar goes on to give an example, saying, 'Yes, there have been a few. One in particular was very tempting in terms of exposure and money, but the message didn't sit right with me. It didn't feel like something I could stand behind, so I passed'. 'At the end of the day, I have to be okay with my choices, even off screen,' he wraps up.
India.com
28-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
This actress got featured with Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan in…, became overnight star from her debut movie, had rumored relationship with famous director, she is…
This actress, who has now become a global phenomenon, met with a popular director during an ad with Bollywood's Mr. Perfectionist. The director noticed her and offered her a role in his next film. It all began with that brief encounter, sparking a transformation from relative unknown to a prominent actress. Who is this actress? Here we are talking about Huma Qureshi, who made her silver screen debut in Anurag Kashyap's critically acclaimed 2012 crime epic Gangs of Wasseypur: Part 1. She portrayed Mohsina, a flamboyant small‑town woman whose charm and naive confidence and chemistry with Nawazuddin Siddiqui earned her round of applause. The film premiered at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival and turned into a game‑changer for her career. How did Huma Qureshi and Anurag Kashyap meet? Anurag Kashyap first noticed Huma Qureshi during the shoot of a Samsung mobile advertisement in which she appeared alongside Aamir Khan. Impressed by her natural screen presence and confidence, Kashyap saw potential in her acting abilities. Soon after, he offered her a role in his ambitious project. That chance meeting on a commercial set became the turning point in Huma's career, marking the beginning of her journey in Bollywood under Kashyap's direction. For the unversed, Huma Qureshi also worked with superstar Shah Rukh Khan in a Nerolac Paints advertisement. The ad featured both actors promoting the brand with a message focused on beautifying homes. Did Huma Qureshi had relationship with Anurag Kashyap? As per Huma, her relationship with Anurag Kashyap remains strong and respectful. In interviews, she often laughs off persistent rumors linking them beyond professional boundaries, emphasizing that Kashyap's role in her career has always been creative and friendly. Huma has always credited Anurag Kashyap as a mentor and guiding force, calling herself a 'product' of his cinema. She appeared in his follow‑up Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 2 and also featured in his production Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana in a spirited Punjabi‑flavored role. More about Huma Qureshi Over time, Huma embraced versatile roles. She delivered engaging performances in films like Dedh Ishqiya, Ek Thi Daayan, Jolly LLB 2, Badlapur, D‑Day, and the biopic Tarla, based on the life of author and chef Tarla Dalal. On streaming platforms, she impressed critics in series like Maharani and Leila and also left her strong impact in Viceroy's House and Army of the Dead.
India.com
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Meet actor who did C-grade films, worked with Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, has net worth of Rs...
Bollywood has been a place where actors and actresses need to be on their toes always. From grabbing the right opportunity to fitting into a role perfectly like a jigsaw puzzle, one needs to be prepared. Today, we are going to discuss an actor who, with his grit and determination, made his way into the Bollywood industry. There was a time when he worked in C-grade films, but today, he is counted among the most talented actors in the industry. This person was initially underestimated a lot, but then he changed the tide and became a top actor in the industry. People overlooked him for his dark complexion and height, but he proved everyone wrong. From movies to series, this actor has his 'dabdaba' among the audience. We are talking about none other than Nawazuddin Siddiqui. Born in Budhana, Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, Nawazuddin completed his studies from Gurukul Kangri University, Haridwar. To earn his bread and butter, he went to Vadodara and became a chemist. However, Nawaz knew that his passion lay in acting. Hence, he came to Delhi and learned the nuances of acting by enrolling in the National School of Drama (NSD), and then came to Mumbai in search of work. Nawazuddin Siddiqui kept doing small roles for years. During this time, he also did C-grade films. On Kapil Sharma's show, the actor had said, 'Nobody even knows about half of the films. There were many C-grade films, they were being made at that time, so I used to work in them too.' Nawazuddin Siddiqui's 'big break' in Bollywood came when he featured in Anurag Kashyap's Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 2 in 2012. His portrayal of Faizal Khan received widespread praise. Since then, he never looked back. Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who started his career in Bollywood with a small role in Aamir Khan's film Sarfarosh, has appeared in many great films including Gangs of Wasseypur, Badlapur, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Kahaani and Raees. Today, he leads a luxurious life and lives in a home worth Rs 12 crore. Talking about the actor's net worth, according to media reports, his total assets are Rs 160 crore.
Time of India
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Nawazuddin Siddiqui is back playing a ‘struggler' 15 years after his big break 'Sarfarosh'
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. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Here's A List Of Cheapest Steel Suppliers In 2025 (See List) Steel Suppliers | search ads Search Now Undo 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.
Time of India
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
15 years after his breakout role, Nawazuddin Siddiqui is back to being a ‘struggler' in new film
Nawazuddin Siddiqui may have first appeared on the big screen in John Matthew Matthan's 1999 police drama Sarfarosh, but his true breakthrough didn't arrive until 2012, when he captivated audiences in Anurag Kashyap's gritty gangster saga Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 2. That long wait of fourteen years, filled with perseverance, hardship, and unwavering determination, has become such an intrinsic part of his identity that portraying the role of a struggling artist came naturally to him. This was especially evident in Dibakar Banerjee's short film Star, a segment in the 2013 anthology Bombay Talkies, where he convincingly stepped into the shoes of a struggling actor . Now, over a decade since he became a leading face in Indian cinema with diverse roles in multiple languages and storytelling formats, Siddiqui is set to embody the life of a struggling actor once again. In Aditya Kripalani's upcoming feature Main Actor Nahi Hoon (which translates to I'm Not An Actor), he takes on the part of a man who, though residing in Germany, works as an acting coach to a woman in Mumbai—exclusively through FaceTime video calls. The film explores the nuances of mentorship , ambition, and identity, all while relying on an unconventional storytelling format. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo For Siddiqui, slipping into the mindset of a struggling actor doesn't require much effort. Having spent more than a decade grappling with rejection and hardship in the early phase of his career, he finds the emotional memory still sharp and deeply embedded. In an interview with SCREEN magazine, he acknowledged that his prolonged journey of 12 to 15 years in obscurity still resonates with him. In many ways, he continues to experience challenges—albeit of a different nature today. That intimate familiarity with the world of the underdog allows him to infuse authenticity and rawness into such roles. "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," he told the magazine. Main Actor Nahi Hoon had its world premiere at the Cinequest Film Festival, held in San Jose, California—an event that takes place near the headquarters of Apple. In addition to this film, Nawazuddin Siddiqui will be seen in three upcoming projects: Noorani Chehra, Sangeen, and the sequel Raat Akeli Hai 2.
