Exclusive! Nawazuddin Siddiqui: Archana Puran Singh's very positive about the Haddi comparisons; cannot praise her enough

Long eyelashes, with a dash of makeup on his face, something was admirably different about Nawazuddin Siddiqui this evening when we met for a quick chat. "I am coming from the shoot of Haddi, which is why I am exuding feminine energy," he clarifies, gently running his fingers through his hair. 

In this exclusive chat with OTTplay, which was held before the private screening of Holy Cow (in the presence of a small group of media professionals)—a social satire that is scheduled to release in theatres on August 26—Nawazuddin Siddiqui shared his two bits on films and acting. 

The Gangs of Wasseypur star talked about the 'most difficult aspect' of portraying a woman on screen, elaborated on why he is not 'one bit worried' about being stereotyped as one particular character, and sang high praises for Archana Puran Singh who, he says, deserves all the praise in the world for her positivity towards those Haddi comparisons on social media.

Excerpts from our chat with the actor: 

While the poster of Haddi has garnered rave reviews and taken everyone by surprise, social media almost instantly started comparing your look to how Archana Puran Singh looks in real life. She, too, has come out and said these comparisons are 'compliments', especially when they are related to you. How do you react to this latest trend, and of course, her kind words?

While working on the poster, we had no idea who was I going to get compared to. But, she has been very positive about this (referring to the comparison) and has always been a positive person. Unki tarif jitni ki jai utni kam hain (No matter how much I praise her, it will always be less). But, the good thing in all this is that people have recieved the poster so well and in fact, I am just coming from the shoot of Haddi. That's why I am exuding feminine energy (chuckles!)

A huge section of the population still remembers you as Ganesh Gaitonde from Sacred Games (web show? Netflix). Do you fear being sterotyped as him or any of the characters that you have played in the recent past?

No, I am that kind of an actor who does different kinds of roles and never gets stereotyped. If I am doing Thackeray, than I am also doing Manto. I also juggle between comedy and serious dramas. If I have played a ganster in my projects, I have played a cop, too. Stereotype ki toh hume fikar hi nahin hoti hain (I am not one bit worried about being stereotyped). And I thank the poeple, this industry and the audience because all of you accept me for the character I play on screen. I really consider myself lucky, bohot badi baat hain mere liye ki mujhe harr role ke liye acceptance hain (It is a huge deal for me that I am accepted as all the roles I play)... Bada maza aa rahan hai (smiles!)

In Holy Cow, another veteran actor, Sanjay Mishra, is also part of the movie. How was teaming up with him like?

I only have a guest appearance in the movie but the experience of working with him was amazing. Woh bohot kamal ke actor hai (he is a fabulous actor) and his comic timing is brilliant. Holy Cow is a fun film, I am sure it is going to be fun (to watch).

How did you prepare yourself to play a woman for Haddi? How was it different from playing a male character in any of the movies so far?

See, I am coming from the shoot of Haddi right now. And it's really tough (to be a woman), especially the thought process. Jo khudki thinking hain woh thodi si change karni padti hain (When you play a woman on screen, you have to change your thinking a bit). Say, for example, the way I see this world is very different from the way you see it as a woman. For me to render justice to my character in Haddi, I have to see the world through your eyes.

It is an extremely difficult character to play. But, I have prepared as much as I could as an actor. I have been working hard for a really long time on this character. Now, I am just eager to find out how it's recieved by the audience and how much love my character receives after the release of the movie.

Holy Cow is a social satire and has a big comedic figure as its central character, what do you say to your fans about the movie?

I would like to say to my fans that Holy Cow is an interesting film. It has comedy, it has classic timing and it has Sanjay Mishra Ji, who is known for his comic timing. He is a fabulous actor and his timing and dialogue delivery is very interesting in the movie. Since I have only seen some glimpses of the movie and will be watching the rest of it now, which was possible because I was shooting close by, then I will be able to tell more. I have a feeling the audience is going to like the movie. I request the audience to watch the movie because it has many elements to keep you engaged. It is a fun film.