Latest news with #Manto
Pink Villa
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Take a tour inside Nawazuddin Siddiqui's glamorous Bungalow in Mumbai
Nawazuddin Siddiqui is one of Bollywood's most critically acclaimed actors and a household name. The versatile actor has successfully touched the hearts of both the public and critics with the poignant and compelling characters he portrays. The sky's the limit for his progressing career. However, it was not always the case. The Manto actor had a rather humble upbringing. His residence in Mumbai stands as a stark reminder that success comes to those who remain persistent. Nawaz is humble and true to his craft, a quality that is brightly reflected in every conversation he holds. Let's take a look at his house and how Nawaz has embraced minimalism in decorating his abode. Nawazuddin Siddiqui's Dream Nest Is a Fusion Between Modern And Vintage Architecture Staying true to its name, the house gives glimpses of the Nawabi architecture with its sun-kissed patio, hardwood stairs, white marble exterior, and opulent motif. Nawaz wanted a space with a cozy and homely vibe where he could take a step back and relax. The entrance features a wooden French door. The hall is adorned with a wooden billiard table and posters of famous plays by Moliere and Shakespeare at every corner. The inspiration behind this is the corridor of the National School of Drama. There is also a tiny bar in one corner with a sitting area for guests. Nawaz mentions that he loves to experiment with different aesthetics and colors. The cosmopolitan ambiance of the house aligns with the actor's deep understanding of interior planning. One of the main attractions of his home is the hall upstairs, where he relaxes and watches films. He decided to install big windows so he wouldn't feel suffocated. The room leads you to a small balcony, which is surrounded by Jali carving white marble railings. Lush greenery graces the area and fills it with serenity. He then escorts us to his makeup room, whose big attraction is a gigantic Hollywood-style wooden vanity mirror. Next, Nawaz invites the viewers to his terrace, which serves as an escape from the noise of the city. He spends most of his evenings there, chatting with his peers. According to the actor, his bedroom is the smallest room in the house. He jokingly mentions that he wants to stay true to his roots. With minimal furnishing, the room is stylishly decorated with a poster and a few planters. The next visit is to another hall, which Nawaz calls the busiest corner of the house. He has decorated the walls with posters of some of the most notable plays and playwrights. Nawaz lovingly christened his residence 'Nawab' as a homage to his father, who had a significant impact on his life. Not just a structure of bricks and stones, Nawaz wanted a memoir of his childhood home in Uttar Pradesh. He wanted a space where time stood still. That is why he curated the house in a way that takes him on a stroll down memory lane. Nawab, nestled in Mumbai's Versova, is where luxury meets sophistication. He has embellished every corner of the house with ornaments that hold deep value to him.
News18
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Nawazuddin Siddiqui Turns 51: 10 Iconic Roles And Exciting Upcoming Projects
Happy Birthday Nawazuddin Siddiqui: The actor won hearts with his performance in Gangs of Wasseypur. He also delivered memorable performances in Manto and Badlapur. Happy Birthday Nawazuddin Siddiqui: If one word could describe Nawazuddin Siddiqui, it would definitely be – versatile. Over the years, the actor has carved a name in Bollywood that makes him a favourite among fans and critics alike. While he started his journey in the Bollywood industry with minor roles in films like Sarfarosh and Munna Bhai M.B.B.S, it was Anurag Kashyap's Gangs of Wasseypur that brought him into the spotlight. Since then, Nawazuddin has delivered memorable performances across both films and series. Today, on May 19, the actor is celebrating his 51st birthday. On this special day, let's take a look at some of his top performances that showcase his range. Also, let's look into exciting projects he has lined up next. Gangs of Wasseypur: When it comes to Nawazuddin's best performances, Gangs of Wasseypur definitely tops the list. This two-part epic black comedy crime film is directed by Anurag Kashyap. The story revolves around the coal mafia and explores the power struggles, politics and revenge between three crime families. Along with Nawazuddin, the film features powerful performances by Manoj Bajpayee, Pankaj Tripathi, Richa Chadha, Jaideep Ahlawat, Huma Qureshi and Tigmanshu Dhulia in key roles. Manjhi: The Mountain Man: The film is based on the life of Dashrath Manjhi, a poor labourer from Bihar who carved a road through a hill using just a hammer and chisel. Nawazuddin played the role of Dashrath Manjhi and gave a powerful performance. He brought the character to life with honesty and showed the strength, pain and determination of the real-life hero. Manto: This is another biographical drama where Nawazuddin delivers a strong and unforgettable performance. He plays Saadat Hasan Manto, the well-known Urdu writer known for his bold and honest stories. Set in the post-Independence 1940s, Manto captures the struggles of the author during a difficult time in history. Nawazuddin's performance was widely praised and earned him a Best Actor (Critics) nomination at the 64th Filmfare Awards. The Lunchbox: This is a drama film directed by Ritesh Batra. It stars Irrfan Khan and Nimrat Kaur in lead role, with Nawazuddin, Bharti Achrekar and Nakul Vaid in supporting roles. Nawazuddin plays Aslam Shaikh, a chatty and funny colleague. Even with limited screen time, he stands out and makes the character memorable. Badlapur: An action thriller directed by Sriram Raghavan, starring Varun Dhawan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui in lead roles. The story follows Raghu, played by Varun, who sets out to take revenge on the men responsible for his family's death 15 years ago. Nawazuddin plays Liak Mohammed Tungrekar, one of the criminals. He makes the character powerful with his sharp and natural performance. Bajrangi Bhaijaan: Nawazuddin plays Chand Nawab, a kind-hearted Pakistani journalist who helps Salman Khan's character reunite a lost girl with her family. Though not the lead, Nawazuddin leaves a strong impact with his honest and heartfelt performance. Raat Akeli Hai: A crime thriller that features Nawazuddin in the lead as Inspector Jatil Yadav. He plays a small-town cop who investigates a murder in a wealthy, secretive family. Nawazuddin's stand out performance carries the film. He won a Best Actor award at the Filmfare OTT Awards. Haraamkhor: A dark comedy directed by Shlok Sharma that features Nawazuddin and Shweta Tripathi. Nawazuddin plays a manipulative schoolteacher who takes advantage of a young student's vulnerability for his selfish desires. Raman Raghav 2.0: A psychological thriller where Nawazuddin stars as the serial killer Ramanna and Vicky Kaushal as a corrupt cop, Raghavan. The story follows their intense cat-and-mouse chase, inspired by the real-life killer Raman Raghav. Te3n: A grandfather, a priest and a police officer join forces to unravel the mystery of a kidnapped child. Starring Amitabh Bachchan, Nawazuddin and Vidya Balan, this gripping thriller takes you through a suspense-filled journey. Nawazuddin Siddique's Upcoming Projects Nawazuddin Siddiqui was recently seen in Costao, a crime drama based on the real-life story of Costao Fernandes, a Goa customs officer from the 1990s who gave up everything to stop a major gold smuggling racket. Up next, Nawazuddin is reportedly busy shooting for the sequel to Raat Akeli Hai in Lucknow. He will return as Inspector Jatil Yadav in this much-awaited follow-up to the hit thriller. First Published:
Indian Express
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Nawazuddin Siddiqui steps into the shoes of a customs officer in his new film, Costao
For someone who was told he is not 'hero material', Nawazuddin Siddiqui has come a long way in the 25 years since he began his career with a small role in Aamir Khan's Sarfarosh (1999). In his latest film Costao, he plays the titular character, an honest Customs officer accused of corruption. Based on the real-life story of Costao Fernandes, who fought gold-smuggling in the Goa of the '90s, the ZEE5 original film is Sejal Shah's directorial debut. Having already done two biopics – Manto (2018) and Thackeray (2019) – Nawaz was certain what he did not want to do while approaching the character of Costao. He says often biopics are made to please the actual person, with their flaws being conveniently omitted. 'We don't show their mistakes. Moreover, few actors are ready to work in biopics; you require a different training for that. We either copy (someone) or make them out to be a caricature,' he says. The core of Costao's story is about maintaining one's integrity while navigating their professional lives. Has Nawaz ever had to make compromises in the film industry? 'Several times. I have done films for money, which I knew weren't up to the mark. I have also done mass films to create a balance in my filmography,' says the actor who starred in the Emmy-nominated series, Sacred Games (2019). ALSO READ | Kesari 2 director Karan Singh Tyagi: 'The youth must know they can't take their freedom for granted' While Nawaz is not the only one calling out Bollywood on its lack of creativity and poor storytelling in recent times, what also bothers him is the stress on high budgets. 'The so-called commercial films are the biggest flops. If 1,000 films are being made, we only remember three or four. For other films, on which crores have been invested, there is no accountability,' says the 50-year-old. The Gangs Of Wasseypur (2012) actor adds, 'This hasn't just affected me, it has impacted Naseer sahab (Naseeruddin Shah), Om Puri, Manoj Bajpayee and Irrfan (Khan) bhai. The whole world says they are great actors but nobody made a 25-crore film with them. A newbie who comes from a film background gets those chances.' Notwithstanding all his frustrations with the Hindi film industry, cinema, for Nawaz, continues to be all about the character: 'For me, it is not about the story. I like going deeper into a character's mind. Aur jitna local hota hai, utna global hota hai (the more local the film, the greater the global appeal). I wish I could do more such films. The focus, however, is still on shock value and flashy things. If this continues, filmmaking will become a rich people's game and that's dangerous. People are making 100 crore worth of guns for their films, humaare 20 crore judd jaayen, poori film ke liye woh bhi bahut badi baat hai (It would be a huge deal if we get a 20 crore budget for a film).'
The Hindu
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
The Huddle to have discussion on the many shades of womanhood on screen
It is a fascinating moment for Indian cinema. While acts of machismo still dominate the screen, Indian films, and film industries, are breaking out of their ingrained androcentrism. Across regions and languages, artists and directors—via nuanced, sensitive and lyrical explorations of the female experience—are broadening the boundaries of storytelling. And while women filmmakers and actors are at the forefront of this change, some of these films are also beautifully helmed by male directors and writers, transcending biases linked with artistic endeavour. For The Hindu Huddle, internationally acclaimed actor‑turned‑filmmaker Nandita Das (Manto, Zwigato), powerhouse performer Shahana Goswami (Santosh, Despatch) and visionary director-screenwriter Jeo Baby (The Great Indian Kitchen, Kaathal - The Core) sit down to discuss the many shades of womanhood and feminine power on screen. The session — The female gaze: Redefining cinema on the global stage — will be moderated by Shilajit Mitra, film critic of The Hindu. The Huddle, a marquee event of The Hindu Group, is to be held in Bengaluru on May 9 and 10. The speakers will delve into how the film industry, long shaped by patriarchal hierarchies, has, over time, seen women break barriers and assert their voice. But while women-led narratives are celebrated, is parity and acceptance being achieved? The discussion will also address issues of censorship and self-censorship. Films steeped in the politics of liberation — social, physical, sexual — often come under intense societal scrutiny. What, then, are the challenges of bringing these narratives to a wider audience? Finally, the conversation will consider the rising global recognition of gender-sensitive cinema out of India. Even as soft power narratives dominate, how is an alternative view of Indian cinema reaching the world? If you have any questions that you would like our moderator to ask the panelists, write to us at huddle@
Hindustan Times
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
I like characters who get lost in the crowd: Nawazuddin Siddiqui
New Delhi, Like most actors, his aim is to disappear into his character. And unlike most movie stars, Nawazuddin Siddiqui would like to get lost in a crowd in real life too – the equivalent maybe of Harry Potter's invisibility cloak. "It's very difficult for me to make myself presentable and stand out. But I feel very good that I am sitting in a corner and no one is looking at me... rather, I'm observing others,' Siddiqui told PTI in an interview "I feel the world is a 70mm film and I'm watching it," added the actor who became a star playing everyday people, be it in small roles such as in "Munnabhai MBBS" and "Peepli Live" or performances in acclaimed titles, including "The Lunchbox", "Bajrangi Bhaijaan" and "Maanjhi". Siddiqui's journey from Budhana in Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh to Delhi's National School of Drama and then to Mumbai from where he emerged as one of the Hindi film industry's most versatile stars after a long struggle is the stuff dreams are made of. The aspiring actor went straight from watching C-grade films to world cinema. Growing up in Budhana, he said there were no literary or cultural influences but there was a 'kachcha theatre' that would mostly show C-grade movies. "I have grown up watching those movies and when I came to the city, I went to the National School of Drama and I was introduced to world cinema there so I missed a lot of Bollywood movies in between, which I saw later." The 50-year-old said he still considers each character a fresh challenge, the latest being his portrayal of former customs officer Costao Fernandes in a new film on ZEE5. In fact, if he had to have one of his characters as a travel companion, it would be that of a regular Mumbai tourist photographer from director Ritesh Batra's "Photograph". "It's the kind of person who does not have a status and has nothing special about him. Even if he passes in front of you, you won't pay attention to him. I like such characters who get lost in the crowd," he said. Isn't it the antithesis of what actors want to stand out and be noticed? "I don't want it. My aim is to not stand out even in real life. There are a lot of my friends, my seniors, like Manoj Bhai , who often says that 'if you make Nawaz stand in the crowd, you won't even know where he is, he merges with the crowd'. So, I have that, and I like it," he said. Siddiqui has often played characters on both sides of the moral and political divide "Manto" and "Thackeray", the former a biopic on writer Saadat Hasan Manto, the latter on Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray; a serial killer in 'Raman Raghav 2.0' and a cop in "Raees". He said he has carefully tried to stay away from an established image and, in fact, has trust issues with people who have the image of a person without any faults. "I don't want to be fixed in a certain kind of image. I have played many such characters where I have been criticised like 'Raman Raghav 2.0'. When I did 'Manto', certain people didn't like it and then there were some who didn't like 'Thackeray'. 'I have stayed around people who are both good and bad. We all are greyish and the characters which are close to real people are more fun to do. I honestly fear people who have the image of being a good guy. If somebody had such an image, I fear they are hiding something." Siddiqui said there is nothing more beautiful for an artist than crisscrossing between roles and personas. "If I keep repeating myself, I will get bored. As an actor, you should be prepared for an exam every day. When I opt for a new film, there's a new role, it feels like there is a big exam that I have to pass. Thank god, my directors have options that they think they can cast Nawaz in different roles." He has been a part of many biopics but playing a real-life person is still challenging, he said. The actor said he agreed to be part of "Costao" because it does not present the customs officer, who fought against gold smuggling in Goa, like a hero and without faults. He also identified with Costao's obsessive dedication to his job. "It's challenging because you have to look like them and yet you shouldn't copy them. I have mostly done roles of unsung heroes of our country. I stayed around Costao and observed him before the film. When his friends saw the movie, they said there is no difference between Costao and me. What could be a bigger compliment than this?" Siddiqui's other biopic is in Ketan Mehta's 2015 film "Manjhi: The Mountain Man" where he plays Dashrath Manjhi, the man who single-handedly carved a road in a mountain. For many, he embodies success in Bollywood. But he said he finds the term strange. "If someone gets a Lambretta scooter, then he might think it's a success. My profession is always about discovering, inventing yourself and that's a process. If I execute a scene properly, that's success for me on that day. I don't even know what success is. That, for every person, is very individual. Maybe success means getting to do the kind of roles he always desired? "I don't think I have been able to do what I want because your demands increase after every experience..." Siddiqui said it is not always easy to understand the vision of his directors and successfully execute it on the screen. His directors, be it frequent collaborator Anurag Kashyap or Honey Trehan, keep throwing challenges at him. "Whichever director I work with, he wants to work with me again. That is because I am a very obedient actor, and secondly my focus is always to understand whatever is on their mind and execute it." "Costao" releases on May 1. After that, Siddiqui has a busy schedule with "Raat Akeli Hai 2", "Section 108", "Faraar" and "Thama", which is part of Dinesh Vijan's "Stree" horror-comedy universe. After "McMafia" and "Sacred Games", the actor is returning to long format storytelling with the Indian adaptation of popular American show "House".
