Nawazuddin Siddiqui says he never imagined someone like him would make it big in the film industry. He was promoting his new film ‘Rautu Ka Raaz’ on ZEE5 Global when he spoke about the success he got in his career because he was at the right place at the right time. The film is a murder mystery and the actor plays a cop posted in Rautu, a small village in Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand. In an exclusive interview with IndiaToday.in, Nawaz opened up about his experience of shooting for a ‘simple’ yet ‘real’ film and his dreams.

Nawaz said that he is the happiest person today as he never thought that he would be so successful. The National Award winning actor said that his work has brought him all the success and he always keeps counting his blessings.

He said, “Who would be happier than me? My face probably shows that because lines have appeared (laughs). There is no happier person than me because I have got more than my worth. I never thought so much, to be honest. A 5 foot, 6 inch dark skinned man would never reach here. But, finally I was given that honour because of my work. What could be bigger than this? Thank God! (Who can be happier than me? These lines on my forehead might make you think that I am not happy (laughs). But, I don’t think anyone can be happier than me because I have got more than what I deserved. I never thought I would earn so much. I never thought a dark, five foot six inch guy like me would reach so far. I have got this honour because of my work. What can be better than this? I am very happy, thank God!)

Nawaz is one of the most popular actors in the country today. His list of films includes many great films like ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’, ‘The Lunchbox’, ‘Manto’, ‘Kahaani’, ‘Manjhi-The Mountain Man’ and ‘Thackeray’. The actor said that big films or their popularity do not make him happy, but his passion for acting keeps him happy.I had no dreams in my mind. Many people say that I had a dream of becoming a big star. I had no such dreams in my mind. I just wanted to act – whether I acted on stage, on TV, in trees, on stones – I just wanted to act He said, “I never had any dreams. People often say ‘I wanted to be a big star’. I never thought about that. I just wanted to act – on stage, on TV, on a tree, anywhere – I just wanted to act.”

The actor said, “Acting is my only passion. I am crazy about acting.” I am the main actor, I am an artist. I will act anywhere. If I don’t get work, I would form my own group in Mumbai, which I have already formed, or I would do street plays. – I would be happy to do that. I am passionate about acting, I just love it (If I hadn’t found it To do any work in the industry, I would have formed my own group and would have been happy acting on the streets. I would have done street plays and that would have been enough for me. I am passionate about acting and that is the only thing that matters).”

Nawazuddin Siddiqui talks about ‘breaking stereotypes’ with ‘Rautu Ka Raaz’

But, why did he work on a simple film like ‘Rautu Ka Raaz’? Nawazuddin said he wanted to break the stereotype around murder mysteries. Referring to big-budget films that feature stylish action and luxurious cars, the actor said, “Nawaz’s film is different from other films. We often think that if it is a murder mystery, there will be a lot of action, violence, it will be larger than life. Our job is to break the mold (It is different from other films and that is why it is Nawaz’s film. We are used to seeing murder mysteries as big dramas with action and violence. It is my job to break this mould).”

The actor further added,Such films should be made with simplicity and honesty. In performance also, act in such a way that it seems that this policeman is present in your colony and village. (There is simplicity and honesty in this film. Even in terms of acting, it feels as if this policeman is present around you, on the street and in the village).”

It is important for Nawazuddin Siddiqui to play characters on screen that are relatable to people. The actor tried to do just that by working in ‘Rautu Ka Raaz’. He described the Zee5 Global film as a completely ‘non-pretentious’ drama.

He said, “I always take care that none of my characters appear to be something that is not from this world. It should seem like such a person lives in your colony, in your neighbourhood. We have not tried to show-off in the film. This is my attempt to develop a taste of simplicity among the audience (I am always conscious that I don’t play a character that is detached from the world. He should look like he lives around you, in your colony and your village. There is nothing pretentious in the film).”

The actor further explained how he was conscious of doing away with the stereotypes associated with the murder mystery genre. He said, “Look, this is a murder mystery. We never thought that fast cars would break or fly or bullets would be fired from airplanes. It is a simple film. It is a village film, so the characters should be from the village. (There are no cars flying or crashing in the film. There are no planes flying here. It is a simple film set in a village. The characters should look like they belong to that village).”

Nawazuddin also talked about how his recent films ‘Afghan’ and ‘Jogira Sara Ra Ra’ did not get enough screens in theatres. He said that it is unfortunate, but he believes in being honest to his work, no matter which medium he is working for.