Nawazuddin Siddiqui has voiced his disappointment with the film industry, stating that actors like Irrfan Khan and Om Puri were not truly appreciated or offered significant opportunities while they were alive. Speaking in a recent interview, Nawazuddin Siddiqui reflected on how veteran talents are recognized only after their death, emphasizing this as an ongoing and saddening pattern in the industry that leaves him with a sense of unease and frustration.
During a conversation with Pinkvilla, Nawazuddin Siddiqui was questioned about the legacy he might leave behind, to which he responded with raw honesty,
“It doesn’t matter what happens once I am gone. Often we see people realising an actor’s skill and worth after they are gone; you didn’t pay attention when they were alive, and now you want to appreciate them. It is a harsh truth, because today people talk about Irrfan Bhai, but did any one of them make a Rs 25 crore film with him?”
He highlighted that some of the nation’s most talented actors, including Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, Pankaj Kapur, Manoj Bajpayee, and Irrfan Khan, never received the commercial recognition they deserved. Nawazuddin Siddiqui pointed out that, even though these actors were admired and drew audiences to the theaters, the industry failed to invest in their cinema, excluding them from big-budget projects.
Praising the unmatched talent of Om Puri, Nawazuddin Siddiqui remarked,
“You look at the performances a person like Om Puri has given; he used to become the character. In the film Wolf, he shared a scene with Jack Nicholson, and in that moment, it seemed as if Nicholson was nowhere near him in terms of acting. We don’t give our actors the love and respect they deserve, and look at the way he left us all.”
Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s statements spark fresh debate about long-standing issues in the film industry. His comments underline a culture of delayed admiration, where the true worth of actors is recognized too late, potentially compelling the industry and audiences alike to reflect on how genuine talent is valued. Changes in perspective and action might arise from such honest conversations, but whether those in power will respond remains uncertain.
