Kahani’s scene stealer Nawazuddin in Gangs Of Wasseypur and Talaash

By Subhash K. Jha -

March 27, 2012 - 1:16 AM IST

Kahani’s scene stealer Nawazuddin in Gangs Of Wasseypur and Talaash

This isn't the first time that the brilliant actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui has made a deep impact. In Kabir Khan's New York and Nandita Das' Firaaq, Nawazuddin was singled out by every moviegoer for his resonant portrayals.

He's done it again in Sujoy Ghosh's Kahaani. But this time Nawazuddin's turn as a volatile intelligence officer has willy-nilly triggered off a corporate war between two production houses in whose next project Nawazuddin plays an important role.

In Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani's production of Talaash, Nawazuddin is cast in the role of middleman who is a prime witness in the murder of a pimp in the red-light area. Nawazuddin claims it's a pivotal role.

But how pivotal can Nawazuddin be in a film that stars Aamir? In Gangs Of Wasseypur, which comes in two parts, Nawazuddin is cast in the pivotal role in Part 2. He plays a role akin to Michael Corleone in The Godfather. Viacom 18 is looking at Gangs Of Wasseypur as Nawazuddin's true launch as a leading man."

The young actor from a village in Uttar Pradesh is only too happy to bask in the sudden attention. As he prepared to leave for Himachal Pradesh for a new film where he plays the lead, Nawazuddin diplomatically endorsed his role in both Talaash and Gangs Of Wasseypur as important. "Although Talaash stars Aamir Saab, I've the other most important role along with Kareena Kapoor. And to share screen space with Aamir Saab was a pleasure. Yes, I'm the central character in Gangs Of Wasseypur. I don't know what plans the producers have for me. But it's a big leap ahead for me. So far my performances have been noticed in small parts. Footage nahin milti. Kahaani has changed that. I am one of the central characters. And I'm delighted to be noticed."

Nawazuddin's parents who are now in Dehradun with his brothers saw Kahaani in the small city. "My Ammi was just happy to see me in dapper clothes for a change. For too long she would complain I was always being cast as street-level characters. I think she would also be very pleased to see in Gangs Of Wasseypur where I'm again dressed to kill."