Nawazuddin Siddiqui is renowned for his talent in bringing profound and emotionally resonant stories to life. His performances consistently capture the essence of his characters with remarkable authenticity and depth, earning him acclaim from both audiences and critics. This exceptional quality sets him apart as one of the most distinguished actors in Indian cinema.

Incredible performance in New York

A pivotal moment in Siddiqui’s career came with his role in the film ‘New York’. His portrayal of Zilgai, a character deeply affected by false accusations related to the 9/11 attacks, was particularly striking. Siddiqui brought to life Zilgai’s journey through suffering, resilience, and eventual release with such nuanced intensity that it became a standout element of the film.

Director Kabir Khan, who worked closely with Siddiqui in the film ‘New York’, praised his performance highly. Khan recalled, "My assistant director in ‘New York’ was Ali Abbas Zafar, who showed me Nawazuddin’s audition. I knew immediately we had to cast him." Khan also highlighted a particularly memorable scene, describing how Siddiqui’s performance moved the crew deeply: “When I called cut, some of the crew members were in tears while others broke into applause,” he noted, underscoring Siddiqui’s extraordinary ability to deliver a powerful and moving performance in a single take.

Irrfan Khan’ emotional reaction

The impact of Siddiqui's performance was so profound that it moved the late Irrfan Khan to tears. Kabir Khan shared, “I took Irrfan to the monitor and I played it and as he was watching it, tears were streaming down Irrfan’s face. He went and hugged Nawaz” Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s powerful performance showcases his remarkable acting skills and his significant impact on cinema.