Happy Birthday, Nawazuddin Siddiqui. Bollywood's Gangster Turns 46

Happy birthday, Nawazuddin Siddiqui! The actor is best known for his roles in the Gangs Of Wasseypur films and popular web-series Sacred Games. As he turns a year older today, here's a pictorial look at his life and journey as an actor so far.

  • Happy birthday, Nawazuddin Siddiqui! The actor is best known for his roles in the <I>Gangs Of Wasseypur</i> films and popular web-series <I>Sacred Games</i>. As he turns a year older today, here's a pictorial look at his life and journey as an actor so far.
    Happy birthday, Nawazuddin Siddiqui! The actor is best known for his roles in the Gangs Of Wasseypur films and popular web-series Sacred Games. As he turns a year older today, here's a pictorial look at his life and journey as an actor so far.
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  • Born in Budhana, Nawazuddin grew up in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar. He worked as a chemist in Vadodara for a year after which he travelled to Delhi in search of a new job. Drawn to acting, Nawazuddin took admission in the National School Of Drama (NSD) and graduated in 1999.
    Born in Budhana, Nawazuddin grew up in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar. He worked as a chemist in Vadodara for a year after which he travelled to Delhi in search of a new job. Drawn to acting, Nawazuddin took admission in the National School Of Drama (NSD) and graduated in 1999.
  • Nawazuddin made his debut in Bollywood with a brief role in Aamir Khan's <I>Sarfarosh</i> the year he passed out of NSD. In the next few years, he also appeared in small roles in films such as <I>Shool, Jungle, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar</i> and <I>Munna Bhai MBBS</i>. Nawazuddin also co-starred with Aamir Khan years later in <I>Talaash</i>.
    Nawazuddin made his debut in Bollywood with a brief role in Aamir Khan's Sarfarosh the year he passed out of NSD. In the next few years, he also appeared in small roles in films such as Shool, Jungle, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and Munna Bhai MBBS. Nawazuddin also co-starred with Aamir Khan years later in Talaash.
  • In one of his first short films <I>The Bypass</I>, Nawazuddin first co-starred with Irrfan Khan. Years later, he collaborated with Irrfan Khan in the critically acclaimed <I>The Lunchbox</i>. Nawazuddin and Irrfan also worked together in <I>Paan Singh Tomar</i>.
    In one of his first short films The Bypass, Nawazuddin first co-starred with Irrfan Khan. Years later, he collaborated with Irrfan Khan in the critically acclaimed The Lunchbox. Nawazuddin and Irrfan also worked together in Paan Singh Tomar.
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  • Following his brief stints in films, Nawazuddin Siddiqui struggled to survive the harsh ways of the Hindi film industry, shifting into a shared flat and then eventually working as a cook for a senior from National School Of Drama. Nawazuddin's break-out role of sorts arrived in 2010 film <i>Peepli Live</i>, in which he played a local reporter. And then we saw him as a cop in 2011 thriller <I>Kahaani</i>.
    Following his brief stints in films, Nawazuddin Siddiqui struggled to survive the harsh ways of the Hindi film industry, shifting into a shared flat and then eventually working as a cook for a senior from National School Of Drama. Nawazuddin's break-out role of sorts arrived in 2010 film Peepli Live, in which he played a local reporter. And then we saw him as a cop in 2011 thriller Kahaani.
  • In 2012, Nawazuddin Siddiqui earned critical acclaim for his performance as a crime lord in Anurag Kashyap's <I>Gangs Of Wasseypur</i> series of films. Nawazuddin had worked with the director in <I>Black Friday</i> before. Nawazuddin received a special mention at the 60th National Film Awards for his onscreen gangster persona.
    In 2012, Nawazuddin Siddiqui earned critical acclaim for his performance as a crime lord in Anurag Kashyap's Gangs Of Wasseypur series of films. Nawazuddin had worked with the director in Black Friday before. Nawazuddin received a special mention at the 60th National Film Awards for his onscreen gangster persona.
  • Nawazuddin Siddiqui has worked in commercial films such as <I> Munna Michael, Housefull 4, Motichoor Chaknachoor, Kick</i> and <I>Bajrangi Bhaijaan</i>, the last two of which starring Salman Khan.
    Nawazuddin Siddiqui has worked in commercial films such as Munna Michael, Housefull 4, Motichoor Chaknachoor, Kick and Bajrangi Bhaijaan, the last two of which starring Salman Khan.
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  • Nawazuddin played spine-chilling negative roles in films such as <I>Raman Raghav 2.0</i> and <I>Badlapur</i>.
    Nawazuddin played spine-chilling negative roles in films such as Raman Raghav 2.0 and Badlapur.
  • Nawazuddin Siddiqui gradually shifted his focus to art-house cinema, starring in films such as <I>Manto</i> and <I>Thackeray</i>, for which he underwent a massive onscreen transformation.
    Nawazuddin Siddiqui gradually shifted his focus to art-house cinema, starring in films such as Manto and Thackeray, for which he underwent a massive onscreen transformation.
  • Nawazuddin Siddiqui's upcoming movie <I>Ghoomketu</i> will release on OTT platform Zee 5 on May 22 as theatres are shut in lockdown.
    Nawazuddin Siddiqui's upcoming movie Ghoomketu will release on OTT platform Zee 5 on May 22 as theatres are shut in lockdown.
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  • However, after the release of Netflix series <I>Sacred Games</i>, Nawazuddin Siddiqui's portrayal of gangster Ganeish Gaitonde is cited as one of his best performed roles. He also played a don in international series <I>McMafia</i>, which won Best Drama Series at International Emmy Awards.
    However, after the release of Netflix series Sacred Games, Nawazuddin Siddiqui's portrayal of gangster Ganeish Gaitonde is cited as one of his best performed roles. He also played a don in international series McMafia, which won Best Drama Series at International Emmy Awards.
  • On the personal front, Nawazuddin Siddiqui lost his sister to cancer in December last year. Ahead of his birthday, he recently travelled to his ancestral home in Bundhana with his mother and brother. "We have followed all the guidelines given by the State Government," he tweeted a day ahead of his birthday. Wish you a very happy birthday, Nawazuddin Siddiqui!
    On the personal front, Nawazuddin Siddiqui lost his sister to cancer in December last year. Ahead of his birthday, he recently travelled to his ancestral home in Bundhana with his mother and brother. "We have followed all the guidelines given by the State Government," he tweeted a day ahead of his birthday. Wish you a very happy birthday, Nawazuddin Siddiqui!