In the film industry, relationships between directors and actors often revolve around the filmmaking process. Nawazuddin Siddiqui recently expressed his admiration for filmmaker Anurag Kashyap’s craft and his impact on Nawazuddin’s 25-year acting career. This came after Nawazuddin revealed in an interview that celebrity designers once refused to create a suit for him, a story Kashyap shared.
At the 2012 Cannes Directors’ Fortnight, Nawazuddin gained prominence with Anurag Kashyap’s ‘Gangs of Wasseypur,’ known for its bold and innovative cinema. Kashyap had recounted that designers declined to make a suit for Nawazuddin due to his appearance.
Nawazuddin recalled feeling hurt by this rejection based on his looks but now feels grateful for the recognition and appreciation of his talent. Speaking to a prominent news outlet, Nawazuddin said, “‘Gangs of Wasseypur’ hadn’t released yet. Of course, it hurt that people judged an actor that way. It felt strange.”
The actor credited Kashyap for introducing him to opportunities he never imagined and for taking his work to international platforms. He remarked, “Over time, as people saw my work, they began to appreciate it. If your work is good, people will recognize it. Thanks to Anurag Kashyap, who gave me such a big platform. Many of the films he directed, and I acted in, went to Cannes, making Anurag a special director for me.”
Nawazuddin and Anurag have collaborated on several notable projects, including ‘Sacred Games’ and ‘Raman Raghav 2.0.’
Nawazuddin expressed his deep fondness for Anurag, especially after learning that Anurag and Taapsee Pannu had supported him during a challenging period of alcohol addiction and depression. He said, “Anurag and I aren’t exactly friends, to be honest. Sometimes, when we’re together, we might not talk for hours. That’s just how we are. We’ve flown together, traveled together for 5-6 hours without much conversation, maybe just asking for matchsticks or suggesting we eat or drink. We keep it simple. But Anurag holds a special place in my heart. I always wish him good health and hope he continues making films, even if I’m not cast in them. Anurag should always keep making films. He shouldn’t face any troubles.”