Journey of Actors : Nawazuddin Siddiqui

Last Updated on : 19th May, 2015

My most Loved Movies :
Gangs of Wasseypur > Kahaani > Badlapur > The Lunchbox > Talaash

Disliked Movies :
Aatma, Miss Lovely

Yet to Watch :
Seen all where he had big enough role. Liar’s Dice I guess hasn’t released in India yet?

Fav Songs :
Kaala rey (Gangs of Wasseypur II), Moora (Gangs of Wasseypur II), Emosanal Atyachar (Dev.D)

Best Scene :
Sabka Badla Lega (Gangs of Wasseypur II), Congratulating watchman (Bombay Talkies), Permisan (Gangs of Wasseypur I)

Fav Jodi :
Huma Qureshi in Gangs of Wasseypur and Badlapur.


Nawazuddin Siddiqui has become a famous name in Hindi Film Industry at present, but his journey to fame was full of struggle.

In 1999, his first movie ‘Sarfarosh’ came with Aamir in which he played an extra (a criminal). And then followed a series of movies, ‘Munnabhai MBBS’ (pick-pocketer), ‘Black Friday’ (interrogation scene with kay kay menon), 'Dev D' (remember the 2 singers performing emosanal atyachar song on stage, he was one of them), ‘New York’(excellent two min monologue) and ‘Peepli Live’ (a journalist). In all these movies, he hardly had 3-5 mins screen time.

The transition from blink and miss roles to supporting/lead roles happened for him after 13 years, i.e 2012. 'Paan Singh Tomar' had him in a negative shade (police informer) getting good appreciation and then came ‘Kahaani’ where he held his own as the short tempered IB officer, despite presence of Vidya Balan, and it was his 1st role where he was smartly dressed in suits.

But the movie that changed his career completely was 'Gangs of Wasseypur I & II'. How well he lived upto the standards set by Manoj Bajpayee in 1st part, telling us that he has the capability to carry the film on his own. I can never forget that dialogue ‘baap ka, dada ka, sabka badla lega tera faisal’ or that epic ‘permisan’ scene with Huma Qureshi with whom he shared excellent chemistry on screen.

He got good recognition for ‘Miss Lovely’, based on 1980’s sleazy C grade horror movies and it got screened at various festivals including Cannes and Toronto. Nawazuddin got a chance to work with Aamir again in ‘Talaash’ albeit in a much longer supporting role and he didn’t let us down here either.

Dibakar Banerjee’s short film in ‘Bombay Talkies’ had Nawazuddin reciting famous hindi film dialogues in one of film’s longest wide shot scene, and the story of short is relatable to Nawazuddin’s real life.











His film ‘Lunchbox' might had even won a oscar had our film federation been sensible by sending movie to oscars. Nevertheless, the film had Nawazuddin in a very good supporting role where he outshines Irrfan Khan in some scenes - can you imagine that?





He didn't limit himself to just character roles, by doing a horror flick ‘Aatma’ which didn’t work but was a good experience to see him in a different genre. He also tried commercial cinema with ‘Kick’ where for first time we saw him doing a larger than life role and hamming completely with that evil laugh quite effectively, though I would certainly like him not fall in this commercial trap, and do it only once a while.

His latest offering ‘Badlapur’ has met with unanimous applause for his performance.

Nawazuddin tends to play realistic characters with ease along with dark comic touch and mannerisms he provides. He may not have the good looks, but as he mentioned once in a  interview ‘good looks can make you hero, not actor’.

It would be fun to see him in a cop role chasing Shahrukh in Rahul Dholakia’s upcoming film ‘Raaes’. Also keenly awaiting to see him in ‘Haraamkhor’.






Special Mention : Watch a terrific short film named ‘Bypass’ that was shot in 2003, its a 15 min duration movie with no dialogues and Irrfan is also part of it. Here’s the link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCRBY9ss-58

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Journey of Actors : Aamir Khan

Last Updated on : 14th March, 2015

My most loved movies :
Ghajini > Raakh > Andaz Apna Apna > Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar > Akele Hum Akele Tum

Disliked movies :
Mela

Yet to watch :
Rangeela, Earth, Mann, Awwal Number, Parampara and few more.

Fav songs :
Ae mere humsafar (QSQT), Kaisi hai yeh rut (Dil Chahta Hai), Dil kehta hai (AHAT), Jo haal dil ka (Sarfarosh), Mere haath mein (Fanaa), Khalbali (Rang De Basanti), Kaise mujhe - male part (Ghajini), Tu hi junoon (Dhoom 3)

Best scene :
Climax sequence (QSQT), Final race (JJWS), P.K telling Amir he must had forgotten how he used to be once (Raakh), Amar telling Teja to sit ahead on bike (Andaz Apna Apna), Antakshari scene with Zooni (Fanaa), Sanjay watching Kalpana for 1st time helping some young children on road (Ghajini), Shekhawat remembering his son death incident and trying to change it (Talaash), Entry scene of Shahir (Dhoom 3), Gandhi & Fashion flashback (PK)

Fav Jodi :
Juhi Chawla in Qayamat se Qayamat Tak, Hum Hai Raahi Pyaar Ke and Ishq.


Known for doing different and hatke roles, Mr Perfectionist easily is one of best actors India has, an actor one is always dependable on to give quality films one after another. And he hasn't disappointed in his last 9 films, which is a big achievement.

Aamir has done 40 movies (excluding child artist movies), which in his 24-25 year career comes as such a low number for a star actor. He was the one who started the trend of doing one movie a year, believing in quality over quantity. Not many other actors successfully could copy him, as in the end it comes to choosing right scripts which Aamir has been doing ever since the debacle of 'Mangal Pandey'.

I have seen 25 movies out of 40, liked 21 of them and disliked only 'Mela'. 'Mangal Pandey' was disappointing since it took the film so many years and the result was mediocre, but Aamir's performance was still likable.

'Qayamat se Qayamat Tak' and 'Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar' were the starting films that I saw of him, and they were gems, so was his performance as a chocolate boy hero. The final cycle race still gives me goosebumps. Interestingly, my top5 films includes only 1 post 2000 film (quite similar to Shahrukh Khan post). It doesn't mean that he did bad films later on, but I somehow love actors in their young days more.

To have done a tough movie like 'Raakh' so early on in his career (if I am right it was his next movie after QSQT), only tells how good his choice was at a young age.  One of my most favorite movies that I am glad I got to watch some years back, better late than never.


'Ghajini' is and will always remain a special movie for me, can see it any number of times, the south action for a change doesn't irritate me.  While the cult 'Andaz Apna Apna' is among best indian comedy movies. Aamir's comic timing and chemistry with Salman Khan makes the film very enjoyable with some evergreen hilarious scenes, 'aap gyani hai, maha gyani hai, balki main toh kehta hoon ki aap purush hi nahi hai.. maha purush hai.. maha purush'.

The reason I prefer 'Akele Hum Akele Tum' over 'Sarfarosh', 'Lagaan' or 'Rang De Basanti', is the way the subject of a couple in same profession i.e singer, is handled (unlike Abhimaan, or Aashiqui 2). Specially love the Aamir and his son relation in the movie.

In cop roles, Aamir has excelled in 'Sarfarosh', his scenes with Naseeruddin Shah are treat to watch. Also, liked pairing of Aamir and Sonali Bendre. 'Talaash' was a total surprise, a psychological movie that shows horror genre like never seen before. How well Aamir portrays the mental trauma he's going through with the guilt of losing his son.

'Ghulam' was another hatke movie, where he played a character that fights against wrong despite odds against him. The final climax sequence and the train bet sequence were my favs. 'Dil Chahta Hai' and 'Rang De Basanti' classifies among best films made on friendship. The reason why I like DCH more is the slowness the movie has, which makes it much more likable. RDB on other hand has added social message attached to it.

'Lagaan' that released with Gadar, took time before I saw it as I had loved Gadar a lot then, but when I saw Lagaan after a while, I totally loved it being a cricket lover. The final match sequence specially was very entertaining.


Whenever Aamir has tried his hands at masala movies, he has been brilliant though its a genre that he does once in a while which I personally feel is right.  'Dil', 'Ishq', 'Raja Hindustani', ‘Fanaa’, ‘Dhoom3' and just recently released ‘PK' are some of his good works in the genre, with ‘Fanaa', 'Dhoom 3’ and ‘PK’ (mainly 1st half) being my favs. The shayari andaaz in 1st half to a total opposite matured lover in 2nd, made his character to love as well hate in 'Fanaa'. While you gotta belong to anti-dhoom franchise to hate 'Dhoom 3', how well he played the double role, a character that robs banks stylishly but with a motive of taking revenge. ‘PK’ first half was so funny that I had tears coming out of my eyes laughing so much, and I don’t remember when it happened last time with me, loved Aamir’s funny religious and fashion related incidents and then the anger he displays against God.  And I still can’t believe that I didn’t hate a movie that was full of Bhojpuri dialogues spoken by Aamir.

Out of the unseen movies, 'Rangeela', 'Earth' and 'Mann' are the films I would love to watch sooner, specially 'Rangeela' whose VCD I have got with me but never got the mood to watch.


Aamir has appealed to me mainly as an actor only, there was a incident where he made a nasty comment on Shahrukh related to his dog which was in bad taste, also the war of words when both actors films use to release during same time. Those were some of not so good moments, but in last few years haven't seen Aamir making bad remarks which is nice for a actor of his calibre.

Also, his show Satyamev Jayante which many people like even those who don't like him, but I have never been attracted by these social message spreading shows, so not seen a single episode till date and probably won't in future.


His only directorial movie Taare Zameen Par, was good one and I did like it but not as much as I saw all others appreciating it, maybe because it was tough to connect to it for me.


I would love to see him try more offbeat films like 'Dhobi Ghat', though it was just a supporting role, he was superb in it. Another interesting thing is that he gets paired against new actresses or directors a lot like Katrina in Dhoom3 and recently Anushka in PK. His next ‘Dangal’ will show him playing a wrestler inspired from Mahavir Phogat, and he would be seen talking in Haryanvi.

Apart from hardcore action movies (Ghajini actually falls quite close to the league), I think he has explored every genre and done it very much successfully. Maybe a total romantic movie like 'Fanaa' is what he should come up with, as its been a while he done it now.


In my Shahrukh post I had mentioned that he was the reason I started getting hooked to watching movies, but its Aamir Khan who aroused my interest into more quality movies and soon became the actor whose movies were highly anticipated.

Journey of Actors : Shahrukh Khan

Last Updated on : 2nd Nov, 2013

My most loved movies : 
Dil Se > Veer Zaara > Chak de India  > Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge > Kuch Kuch Hota Hai

Disliked movies : 
Chennai Express, Don, Ra.One, Om Shanti Om, Billu

Yet to watch : 
Hey Ram, Paheli, Ashoka the Great, Swades, Devdas, Yes Boss, Chalte Chalte and few more.

Fav songs : 
Zara sa jhoom lun (DDLJ), Ae ajnabee (Dil se), Zara tasveer se tu (Pardes), Jaane kyun (Veer Zaara), Jiya re (Jab Tak Hai Jaan), Humko humhi se chura lo (Mohabbatein)

Best scene : 
Church scene (DDLJ), Madan-Ajay laugh (Baazigar), Arjun truth (Pardes), Rain Sequence (KKHH), 1-2-3 smile eeee (KHNH), Veer Zaara seperation (Veer Zaara), Meghna leaves Amar (Dil Se), Afshaq Miya ke (Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham), Samar wants to re-marry Meera (Jab Tak Hai Jaan)

Fav Jodi : 
Kajol in Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham


Shahrukh is a special actor for me mainly for the reason that he started the movie keeda hidden inside me, else who knows today I may not be watching movies at all. He's like that childhood hero everyone has. Ofcourse with time people mature, so I too see all his bad aspects now without ignoring them. He lacks consistency of doing great characters unlike other top actors like Aamir or Manoj or Ranbir these days,  but he knows how to make you fall in love with his character time and again, last time he did it for me was in Jab Tak Hai Jaan.

He has done 60 movies till now, out of which I love his performances in 19 of those movies while I haven't seen 15 of his films yet, might not actually watch most of them as I know they aren't good.  The ratio of films that I love is much more than the ones I hate or dislike.

I don't remember whether I saw Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge first or Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, and which one I loved more. Even now, I find it hard to choose one out of them, somehow both are special for me.

He has played obsessed lover, nice lover, angry lover, romantic lover and sadistic lover. Easily one of best romantic heroes ever, a genre he has made his own.  I love 'Dil Se' most, and his performance was one of the main reason for it, Amar madly in love with Meghna following her everywhere. There's a style he brings in his performances, special mention to the way he delivers his dialogues in 'Don2'.

With Yashji he gave me two films that I love a lot, 'Veer Zaara' and 'Jab Tak Hai Jaan'. As Veer, he played the fallen in love but ready to sacrifice for sake of his love brilliantly. Though he over-acted in some parts of Jab Tak Hai Jaan, I couldn't help myself loving Samar for loving Meera and daring to go against God too.

He's sweet in his earlier movies like 'Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa', 'Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman' and 'Chamatkar', though I couldn't love him much in them. As a villian, he showed great potential in 'Baazigar' and 'Darr', how he improvises in most of the scenes in Darr is something to see. Anjaam is another of my fav performance in negative role, which many people don't talk of.

In the fantasy romantic genre like 'Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge' that I love a lot, many girls dream of Raj in real life which I doubt they will get, keep trying though. Then, there's 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai', that famous dialogue 'hum ek baar jeete hai, ek baar marte hai', and my fav one 'pyar dosti hai'. 'Dil Toh Pagal Hai' is probably one of least liked movies for me in this category, but there were many worth watching scenes in the movie and the songs too, the way Shahrukh breaks into the 'mujhko huyi na khabar' song. 'Mohabbatein' worked only for the chemistry he had with Amitabh Bachchan, the war between love and hatred. I actually miss this pair a lot, they were great in 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham' too, and some nice moments in Kank also, that scene 'beta hass liya karo thora, mar nahi jayoge'. His performance in 'Kal Ho Na Ho' was fantastic, though interestingly its one of his film that I have seen the least for no particular reasons.

'Kabhi Alvida na Kehna', 'Chak de India' and 'My name is Khan' are three of his best off-beat movies. Kank was one of my favs for it explored the theme of love after marriage, a strong subject which most of Indians couldn't accept. The way he played frustrated kinda of a loser character, who finds almost everything irritating since the accident he has, made people hate his character, which was a win for his performance. The other time such hatred comes towards his character was in 'Hum Tumhare Hai Sanam', though that film I don't like much.

 'Chak De India' was and probably will remain best birthday gift ever of my life. A shahrukh film that every non-srk lover appreciated too, was a great sight for me then. Plus, some good memories attached with it. My name is Khan unfortunately reminds me of bad memories, and same for Rab ne Bana di Jodi, still loved how he did the autistic character, and that innocence he shows in  'mandira main waapis kab aayun'.

Its the masala movies where I have found problem with him, be it Om Shanti Om where he completely irritates in 2nd half or the worst film of his life 'Chennai Express' where he over-acted in almost 90% of the movie to which our idiot audience gave thumbs up with the 200 cr record.  Then, there's Billu and Ra.One where I very much disliked him.

I hope he doesn't take any more re-makes like Don, but would love to see him take Don franchise to as far as possible. Also, a darr kinda of negative shade role has been pending since so long. Another thing I would like is to see him do a mature love story now, where he plays his age, and please not a masala movie.

I guess he still has more movies left in his career that will be madly loved by me, hopefully the list in this post will get updated in future. Swades and Devdas are my next to watch films in coming months.

He may not be a perfect actor, but he has that special screen presence whenever you watch him on big screen, you like to just love his character more often than not. If he does more films with the talented directors out of the usual camp he has got, then I am sure the good off-beat films list would increase too. Yes, he does over-acts at times, but he is still very much a lovable actor for me whenever he does good work.