Before achieving nationwide acclaim through his performances in Gangs of Wasseypur, Nawazuddin Siddiqui had already been contributing to the Hindi film industry in lesser-known but significant ways. One of the more surprising revelations from the actor recently came during an interview with Pinkvilla, where he confirmed he helped train Ranveer Singh ahead of his Bollywood debut in Band Baaja Baaraat (2010).
Siddiqui recalled that he had taken on the role of conducting acting workshops for aspiring actors during the early phase of his career. Reflecting on that time, he said, “For some time, yes, I had trained him. I had become a guy who would take workshops often. If someone wanted to become an actor and get launched, I was the go-to person.”
Despite being instrumental in guiding newcomers through the fundamentals of performance, Siddiqui made it clear that he doesn't take credit for Ranveer's rise as an actor. “Ranveer Singh is a very good actor. Acting can’t be taught. It’s not some magic potion. You have to discover it within yourself. He had his own talent. Yes, you can be shown different ways to approach, but eventually, you have to walk it yourself,” he stated.
Ranveer's Early Days and Industry Doubts
Ranveer Singh's career took off with Band Baaja Baaraat, a romantic comedy that was both a critical and commercial success. However, his selection for the lead role was initially met with skepticism. Director Karan Johar, in a candid moment on Koffee With Karan, admitted he was unsure about Singh’s potential at first. He recalled being surprised to learn from Aditya Chopra that the man he assumed was an assistant director was actually the lead of the film.
Johar said, “I was meeting Yash uncle for lunch. So some assistant directors were playing table tennis. Aditya Chopra pointed out that one of those boys is not AD; he is the boy who is starring in Band Baaja Baaraat. I said, ‘Who?’” He also shared his initial reaction after seeing the film's poster and his lack of enthusiasm. But everything changed after he watched the film. “I went to see this film, and I was like, ‘Oh my god. He’s a movie star,’” Johar recalled.
Importance of Acting Training and Theatre Backgrounds
While discussing the broader importance of acting education, Siddiqui highlighted how formal training grounds like the National School of Drama (NSD) continue to play a pivotal role in shaping India’s cinematic landscape. “Places like NSD have a huge part to play in whatever our industry is today, and all realistic movies have actors who have come from these institutions,” he noted.
Siddiqui also emphasized that while workshops can guide an actor, the real effort must come from the individual. He maintained that his role was limited to providing techniques and perspectives; the execution was entirely up to the actor.
Where They Stand Now
Today, Nawazuddin Siddiqui is seen in the biographical crime drama Costao, where he plays Costao Fernandes, a Goa-based customs officer who risked everything to dismantle a gold smuggling ring. Directed by Sejal Shah, the film is streaming on ZEE5 and also features Priya Bapat, Kishore, and Hussain Dalal.
Ranveer Singh, meanwhile, is working on Dhurandhar, an upcoming spy thriller directed by Aditya Dhar. In the film, Singh is set to portray a R&AW agent. The cast includes notable names such as Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, and Akshaye Khanna.
Siddiqui recalled that he had taken on the role of conducting acting workshops for aspiring actors during the early phase of his career. Reflecting on that time, he said, “For some time, yes, I had trained him. I had become a guy who would take workshops often. If someone wanted to become an actor and get launched, I was the go-to person.”
Despite being instrumental in guiding newcomers through the fundamentals of performance, Siddiqui made it clear that he doesn't take credit for Ranveer's rise as an actor. “Ranveer Singh is a very good actor. Acting can’t be taught. It’s not some magic potion. You have to discover it within yourself. He had his own talent. Yes, you can be shown different ways to approach, but eventually, you have to walk it yourself,” he stated.
Ranveer's Early Days and Industry Doubts
Ranveer Singh's career took off with Band Baaja Baaraat, a romantic comedy that was both a critical and commercial success. However, his selection for the lead role was initially met with skepticism. Director Karan Johar, in a candid moment on Koffee With Karan, admitted he was unsure about Singh’s potential at first. He recalled being surprised to learn from Aditya Chopra that the man he assumed was an assistant director was actually the lead of the film.
Johar said, “I was meeting Yash uncle for lunch. So some assistant directors were playing table tennis. Aditya Chopra pointed out that one of those boys is not AD; he is the boy who is starring in Band Baaja Baaraat. I said, ‘Who?’” He also shared his initial reaction after seeing the film's poster and his lack of enthusiasm. But everything changed after he watched the film. “I went to see this film, and I was like, ‘Oh my god. He’s a movie star,’” Johar recalled.
Importance of Acting Training and Theatre Backgrounds
While discussing the broader importance of acting education, Siddiqui highlighted how formal training grounds like the National School of Drama (NSD) continue to play a pivotal role in shaping India’s cinematic landscape. “Places like NSD have a huge part to play in whatever our industry is today, and all realistic movies have actors who have come from these institutions,” he noted.
Siddiqui also emphasized that while workshops can guide an actor, the real effort must come from the individual. He maintained that his role was limited to providing techniques and perspectives; the execution was entirely up to the actor.
Where They Stand Now
Today, Nawazuddin Siddiqui is seen in the biographical crime drama Costao, where he plays Costao Fernandes, a Goa-based customs officer who risked everything to dismantle a gold smuggling ring. Directed by Sejal Shah, the film is streaming on ZEE5 and also features Priya Bapat, Kishore, and Hussain Dalal.
Ranveer Singh, meanwhile, is working on Dhurandhar, an upcoming spy thriller directed by Aditya Dhar. In the film, Singh is set to portray a R&AW agent. The cast includes notable names such as Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, and Akshaye Khanna.
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