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interview

‘Manto’s persona revolves
nawazuddin Siddiqui
Actor I 44
around virgin truth’

the acting verve of nawazuddin of the monotony, I told him I am not in- his thoughts. Every one of us want to
Siddiqui seems to have reached a full terested in one scene. I would rather be tell truth but there are certain social
circle after his immaculate portrayal in interested in doing at least two scenes. constraints and fear that one does not
his current biopic Manto — based on This continued till 2008. During this express openly. Society does not ac-
the life of a post-independent India’s time Nandita Das’ Firaq was on the cept truth. People become judgmental
legendary narrator, writer, playwright and floor. I got a big role there. The film re- and start casting aspersions. That’s why
author Saadat Hassan Manto. In a tete-a- volved around four odd stories. One of people dread to come out with truth.
tete with manmohan singh naula, Nawaz them was mine. It was the biggest break But those who overcome these social
pours his heart out on Manto’s persona, I got after a rollercoaster ride. barriers and fearlessly express what
Balasaheb Thackeray and off course his I got a chance to act in Peepli Live in they think is truth becomes Manto in
struggle to create a niche for himself and 2010. In 2011, three odd films landed at allegorical sense. ‘Mantoiat’ is what we
attain starhood in the glamour world. my door — Gangs of Wassepur, Talaash all have but we lack that courage and
conviction. Therefore he
edited excerpts froM an interview • was Manto, his ‘Mantoiat’
remains matchless.
How a chemistry student becomes How did you prepare
an actor? yourself to step into his
“Yes, I was a science student and character?
graduated in chemistry. After complet- The central part of the
ing my graduation a thought cropped portrayal of his charac-
up in my mind after I watched a play. ter in the movie moves
One of my friends asked me to com- round the truth. It’s basi-
pany him. I watched the play for the cally the assimilation of
first time. The chemistry that existed truth in your character.
between the actor and audience had Being honest and truth-
mesmerized me. From that day, I de- ful with oneself was the
cided to become an actor. Initially, I had very first requirement.
joined an amateur group, left the highly Demand of the charac-
paid job of a chemist in Gujarat. I joined ter was to be honest with
theatre and started doing small roles in and Kahaani. These films got released yourself. Once you are honest with
plays. That’s in Baroda. in 2012. Thereafter, I stopped looking yourself, truthful with yourself, your
Someone suggested me to join the back and started moving ahead with presence and your body language au-
National School of Drama (NSD) in renewed zeal. tomatically transforms into Manto.
Delhi. After doing three years course
in acting at NSD, I stayed there for four Manto’s character is of an Your movies depict truth in its
more years in Delhi. I did street plays. outspoken, extrovert and fearless pristine form. Does it still has the
Later found these vocation non-paying. individual. He never compromises relevance?
Therefore, I landed in the glittery world with the odds of life. How do If truth is gagged, nothing would be left
of glamour — Mumbai. I had thought you correlate yourself with the and the people will be resigned to shud-
that I would get some role in TV soaps. character? der with the very thought of this. But
Then, I tried my luck on the big screen. Nowadays, it’s difficult to find char- there are still some people who never
Managed to get little success. After four acter like Manto. I correlate myself a desist to speak truth. They open their
painful years of struggle, I could grab a lot with the character. It’s not only me mouth to protect your rights and safe-
little screen presence. but many others too, in one way or the guard your freedom. This will continue.
On an unfortunate day, a caller asked other, relate with his sense of humour,
me whether I would do one scene. Tired arrogance and sensibility, as well as letters@tehelka.com

tehelka / 15 november 2018 63 www.tehelka.com

63 Manmohan Singh Q&A.indd 3 02/11/18 11:43 AM