Nawazuddin Siddiqui: Film awards in India can build credibility too

New York can be an intimidatingoverwhelming city for most people Evidently not for the perennially unfazed actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui As we watch him like in his films merging into the Manhattan crowd mdash an Everyman as it were only on occasion disturbed by desi selfieseekers he generously obliges while you can tell hersquod rather notSometimes reticent to a fault as with interviews as well no point asking if the atheist Nawaz is going to do a special namaz prayer leading up to the International Emmy mdash the Olympics of world television mdash where he is nominated for Best Actor filmseries for Sudhir Mishrarsquos Serious Men a Netflix production This automatically puts his performance among the yearrsquos best in movies and series across streaming services and network TV worldwideSerious Men is an adaptation of Manu Josephrsquos novel of the same nameldquoNomination is a good enough measure for your choice of film since the world is recognising itrdquo Nawaz says Even Emmy is not new for him though ldquoI actually held that trophy on the stage when McMafia won the Best Drama Series in 2019rdquoHe adds ldquoThis silsila or procession in a redcarpet sense really began with Cannes in 2012 That was the first time in my life I found myself surrounded by people from across the world who only spoke of art and creativity Thatrsquos when I decided to do at least one film every year just so I can participate in such a mahaul environment I was just fascinated by this world The other world started making less sense to merdquoThe Lunchbox is one among the several Siddiquistarrers that were screened at CannesWith the other world maybe the reference is to similar film awards in Mumbai that arenrsquot so similar actually ldquoWell the point is that Emmy Oscars or Cannes have built their credibility over decades mdash by being only interested in rewarding pure artistic merit Wersquove also had film awards for as long But one hears lately in the news that theyrsquore actually sold out What happens as a result is that the performers themselves start taking these award shows for grantedAlthough if they want the Indian film awards can build on credibility as well I guess the money involved is too huge Which is all fine but creativity should be nurtured and protected too Itrsquos not necessary to turn everything into a dhandardquoNawazuddin SiddiquiOutside of international festival cred mdash as an actor for instance Nawaz has probably had the most number of Indian films at Cannes including the pathbreaking Gangs of Wasseypur 2012 and The Lunchbox 2013 mdash it is globally accessible content on OTT platforms thatrsquos genuinely helped him jump Mumbai cinema and its ruthless starsystem altogetherIf you consider Sacred Games mdash Netflix Indiarsquos flagship show twothird of the audiences of which came from outside India Nawaz recalls ldquoThe last time I was in New York I could sense people looking in my direction while Irsquod enter the hotel Likewise a man in Kenya gave away his house for free once he learnt that we were going to shoot the second season of Sacred Games there It felt good when Paulo Coelho the writer of The Alchemist called and messaged me after watching Sacred GamesrdquoItrsquos mildly surprising therefore we point out a recent press interview where Nawaz wholly slams Indian content creation for OTT platforms that he felt had turned into a sham of sorts with stuff being made for the heck of itldquoMy opinion wasnrsquot directed at OTT platforms as such Theyrsquove actually showcased Indian talents internationally If there was no Netflix I wouldnrsquot be sitting here I was simply talking about a few production houses doing this There has to be something khaas apni pehchaan banane ke liye special in the content for it to stand outrdquoHe did say though that he wonrsquot be part of OTT content anymore ldquoThat I wonrsquot do any series yes Canrsquot anyway because Irsquom busy with films for the year aheadrdquoAlso Nawaz adds as far hersquos concerned there really is no difference between series and films ldquoBeing in the moment is important for me an actor And that honesty of the character doesnrsquot change mdash whether yoursquore in film or seriesrdquoWhether hersquos Gaitonde in Sacred Games or Sheikh in The Lunchbox Or indeed Ayyan Mani in the Emmy nominated performance from Serious Men ldquoWhatrsquos common to all these three Mumbaikar characters from different subcultures within the same city is that they loved Mumbai most dearlyrdquoSoon as the International Emmy Awards show finishes in New York City November 22 night Nawaz heads back to Mumbai as well to wrap up shoot of his film Tiku Weds Sheru costarring Kangana Ranaut From the sets of which Kangana had recently posted a picture of both actors laughing out loud captioned ldquoGood jokes only please Nawaz knows how to crack onerdquoWhat was the joke wersquore curious Nawaz decides to enact it ldquoWhy donrsquot you become me and ask me for water Irsquom the spotboyrdquo We do Nawaz pretends to pick up two glasses drinking from one while offering the second one simultaneouslyldquoThere is a spot boy who was with me for two years whorsquod always do this And then hersquod stare at me relentlessly all day Irsquod ask him whatrsquore you looking at Hersquod say nothing And continue to stare always wondering in his head looking at me lsquoWhatrsquos so great about this guy man Whatrsquos the khaas baat about him mdash na aaga na peechha na shakl na surat no body no looks no beauty mdash how has he become a star Whatrsquos he got that I ainrsquot gotrsquordquo Nawaz laughsWell Maybe the assistant shouldrsquove observed him more as the chameleonlike actor constantly killing it on screen instead of staring at an inherently shy Everyman in real lifeAlso Read Unexpected rains disrupt shoot of Nawazuddin Siddiquis Adbhut in Manali