In a candid and revealing interview with Ranveer Allahbadia, renowned actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui made startling revelations about his past, including his experiences with smoking weed and the critique of the rising ostentation within Bollywood. Known for his compelling performances, particularly in films like “Gangs of Wasseypur,” Nawazuddin has always been straightforward about the various phases of his life. However, this time, the actor delved into some deeply personal experiences that left fans and industry insiders buzzing.
During the interview, when asked if he had ever tried smoking weed, Nawazuddin openly admitted that he had. Reflecting on his younger days, he said, “I had company of some people, who would smoke up so even I ended up doing that.” He further elaborated on the subjective appeal of the activity, stating, “I realised later that… I don’t want to promote it, I have made mistakes but its benefit was that jo travelling milti thi usmein, bada maza aata tha (the high you’d get in that was a lot of fun). But I do not want to promote it at all, it was our mistake and I want to apologise for that.”
Nawazuddin did not just limit his disclosures to weed; he also opened up about his experiences with bhaang, particularly during the festival of Holi. “I have tried bhaang several times, especially during Holi,” he said, describing how it made him feel like he was the “biggest actor in the world.” He added, “I would think people are my audience, and the world my stage. So, I would perform! I would sometimes be Ashwatthama, Karn, Krishna and perform for hours.” This insight into his past shows another facet of the actor’s personality, often masked by his serious on-screen roles.
In another part of the interview, Nawazuddin shifted the focus to his views on Bollywood’s evolving landscape, particularly touching on the increasing entourage costs of celebrities on film sets. This issue has garnered considerable attention, especially as several big-budget films have recently failed to make an impact at the box office. Nawazuddin, who has often been vocal about the various challenges and shortcomings in Bollywood, shared his incisive opinions on this matter.
“The rising costs aren’t something new but have always been there,” he remarked. Nawazuddin noted the extravagant demands of some celebrities and their entourage, which he described as unnecessary and excessive.
. “There are many unnecessary demands that actors have; they want everything lavish. I have even heard that some actors have five vanity vans — one for gymming, one for cooking, one for eating, bathing, practising lines, and what not. Yeh paagalpan hai. Koi paagal hi hoga jo paanch vanity van leke chalta hai (This is madness. Only a mad person would carry around five vanity vans).”
He didn’t stop at highlighting the absurdities but also questioned the rationale behind such indulgent demands. “Why would any actor want to increase the cost of the production? This is absolutely wrong. Put money in films instead; that would be a better [and wiser] thing to do. Jo inn nawaabon ko shaunk hain woh toh film mein nawaabon ke bhi nahi honge (The extravagances that these ‘nawabs’ desire, even nawabs in films wouldn’t have them),” the senior actor asserted.
Nawazuddin’s critique has opened up a conversation that many within the industry have been hesitant to approach. His forthrightness—not just about his personal missteps but also about the professional environment—offers a lens into the complexities of Bollywood, often shrouded in glamour and glitz. By sharing both his past experiences with substance use and his sharp observations on the film industry’s current tendencies, he has painted a more multidimensional picture of what it means to navigate the world of acting and stardom.
These revelations come at a poignant time, especially given that the discussion about the burgeoning costs and the unpredictability of box office returns has been a persistent topic of debate. Nawazuddin’s voice adds weight to this ongoing discourse, likely prompting introspection among his peers and perhaps even triggering broader industry-wide changes.
As the industry continues to evolve, voices like Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s, with their mix of personal honesty and professional critique, serve as crucial touchstones. They do not just entertain but also inform and provoke thought, paving the way for a more reflective and potentially transformative phase in Bollywood.
