Nawazuddin Siddiqui at Cannes, This Time With ‘Manto’

Nawazuddin Siddiqui talks about his first Cannes experience.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui at Cannes in 2016. (Photo: Reuters)

Nawazuddin Siddiqui still remembers how awkward he felt the first time he went to Cannes with Gangs Of Wasseypur. “I went wearing the only suit I had ready. It seemed fine. And it worked for me.”

Now, of course, Nawaz wears an international brand as he takes a stand at Cannes with his latest character assumption as Urdu Litterateur Sadat Haasan Manto. It is not the first time he is being directed by a woman.

I did Liar’s Dice with Geetu Mohandas. I am very fond of that film. I wish it would be released. I was in Cannes with that film. Now I am here with Nandita Das for Manto. It feels like a long and fruitful journey. This is my fourth year at Cannes. Last year I was here with Raman Raghav. Manto is the 9th film of mine that I am in Cannes with.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Actor

Prod him about his sartorial sense at Cannes and Nawaz shyly reveals, “I’ve been very casual about my clothes so far. When I attended Cannes the first time I simply wore a suit stitched by a local tailor.”

But then the pressure from various designers began.

So can we brand Nawaz the male Sonam Kapoor at Cannes this year?

The actor is genuinely embarrassed by the comparison. “I have no fashion sense at all. Mujhe toh yeh bhi nahin pata tha ke ek din main aise kapde pehnunga (I didn’t even know that one day I’ll wear such clothes).”

Nawaz turned 43 on May 19, shares his birthday with his two-year old son.

"But I am never home to celebrate," Nawaz says a tad regretfully. "When my son was born in 2015 I was promoting Bajrangi Bhaijaan. This year I am at Cannes. But it's okay. I am working hard to ensure their future. Hopefully some day my children will be proud of me."

Nawaz also revealed his most memorable birthday, which was his 39th one.

I was in Cannes for the first time. Four of my films were being screened. I feel blessed. For 13 years I was given no room to grow as an actor. Kuch bhi milta tha main kar leta (I accepted what came my way). Gangs Of Wasseypur changed my life. Today I feel I’ve just begun my life.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Actor

(The love of Lata Mangeshkar's voice and Hindi movies - in that order - has propelled Subhash K Jha to the pursuit of journalism for over 30 years.)