Known for his raw honesty and refusal to conform to industry façades, Nawazuddin Siddiqui once again delivered a refreshing dose of truth in his latest interview. The celebrated actor revisited one of his most iconic screen moments—the cult-favorite song Emotional Atyachaar from Dev D—only to admit that the experience wasn’t as enjoyable as the outcome suggested.
“I didn’t have the most pleasant time shooting it,” Nawaz confessed. “But when the song exploded, I was shocked.” His surprise at the song’s runaway success is a telling reminder that even the most memorable performances can come from less-than-glamorous circumstances.
The conversation took a sharper turn as Nawaz shared his views on actors performing at private events, a topic that often sparks debate within the film fraternity. “Yes, why not? What’s wrong with it? It’s a part of our profession,” he asserted, rejecting the notion that such performances are beneath the dignity of an artist. In a striking analogy, he likened modern actors to traditional ‘bhands’—folk entertainers who were once societal outcasts.
“People complain that actors dance at weddings, but we’re all ‘bhands’—folk performers,” he said. “Now that we’re rich and cultured, we think we’ve arrived. But in our hearts, we’re still outsiders performing for approval. The ‘bhandgiri’ continues.”
In doing so, Nawazzuddin Siddiqui not only acknowledged the cultural roots of performance but also challenged the industry’s perceived hierarchy, reminding audiences and peers alike that art, in all its forms, deserves respect—no matter the stage.
