Kamal Haasan recalls cutting Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s role from Hey Ram; says he is proud of the actor

Kamal Haasan is one of the most celebrated actors in the film industry today, but is also known for being a proficient writer and director. The filmmaker’s alternative history crime drama, Hey Ram, is considered a masterpiece by film lovers from around the country. The filmmaker has now opened up about having to cut a young Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s role in the movie, leaving him “heartbroken”. 

While promoting his latest, Vikram, on The Kapil Sharma Show, Kamal was shown a video of Siddiqui recalling having called a few of his friends for the premiere of Hey Ram, ecstatic because he had gotten a part to play in the movie. He reveals that he was told before the premiere by Kamal that his role from the movie, albeit small, was completely cut. 

“Oh yes, I know, I am proud of him. He was also an assistant director of Hey Ram. He was a fantastic actor even then, the scene was cut because of that footage. He’s talking about it casually now, but that day he was heartbroken,” replied Kamal, when he was asked about Siddiqui’s popularity as an actor today. 

Written, directed and starring Kamal, Hey Ram followed a young man, whose life is turned upside down during India's Partition, which leads down a dark path of revenge, where he looks to assassinate Mahatma Gandhi. 

The movie also stars Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, Hema Malini, Girish Karnad, Om Puri, Naseeruddin Shah, Nassar, Atul Kulkarni, and Vikram Gokhale in important roles. The movie, which received critical acclaim following its release in 2000, was screened at the 25th Toronto International Film Festival. 

Kamal Haasan was most recently seen in the action thriller Vikram, which also stars Fahadh Faasil and Vijay Sethupathi.