Nawazuddin Siddiqui: ‘I will only do lead roles even if I have to fund my own films’

After working with all the three Khans of Bollywood – Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Aamir Khan - actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui has said that he will only do lead roles in movies now even if he must fund his own films.

Also read: Nawazuddin Siddiqui on his 'strong bonding' with the three Khans of Bollywood: Whenever there is a content-driven film, they call me 

Busy promoting the release of his upcoming film, Jogira Sa Ra Ra Ra, the actor has revealed in an interview that it is important to be a hero, but his role must be an important one in the narrative.

Also read: The Kapil Sharma Show promo: Nawazuddin Siddiqui unveils Jogira Sara Ra Ra co-star Neha Sharma 'stole his sleep' 

The actor collaborated with Salman in two films - Kick (2014) and Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015), directed by Kabir Khan. In addition, Nawazuddin acted with Aamir Khan in Talaash (2012), directed by Reema Kagti, and Peepli Live (2010). Interestingly, his debut in Bollywood was a minor part in Aamir-starrer Sarfarosh in 1999. Lastly, he acted alongside Shah Rukh in Raees (2017), directed by Rahul Dholakia, and hasn’t appeared in any star-led movies since then.

Speaking about it, Nawazuddin told DNA, "It’s not as if I don’t want to (work with Salman or Shah Rukh). If I get a strong role in a big film, I will do it like I have done earlier too. In this industry, the distinction between lead and side roles matter. In Europe or Hollywood, it does not matter. But here, supporting actors are relegated to secondary roles. I have somehow escaped that, and I don’t want to repeat that. I will only do lead roles even if I have to invest money in the film myself.”

Elaborating further, he said, it does not mean that I will play only the roles of a hero. "Like I did Raees, my character was opposite Shah Rukh and it was important. I did Heropanti 2 even if it did not work, but my character was a major one there. It wasn’t as if it was a blink-and-you-miss it role in a big film. That is the kind of roles I look for in big films now,” he added.

Last seen in Sudhir Mishra’s Afwaah, also starring Bhumi Pednekar, he will be seen next alongside Neha Sharma in Jogira Sa Ra Ra Ra. Directed by Kushan Nandy, the film is set to hit the theatres on May 26. Along with this, he also has Tiku Weds Sheru, Noorani Chehra, Bole Chudiyan and Haddi in his kitty.