Nawazuddin Siddiqui is often hailed as a director’s actor, someone who disappears so completely into his roles that you forget the star and only see the character. In a career spanning more than a decade, he has carved a rare space for himself in Indian cinema, shuttling effortlessly between art-house movies and mainstream blockbusters. While audiences fondly remember his career-defining turns in Gangs of Wasseypur, Sacred Games, and Badlapur, there are several equally riveting performances that often slip under the radar. Here is a revisit to five of those powerful performances where Nawazuddin proved—once again—that no role is ever too risky or too complex for him. Let’s have a look:
Kahaani (2012)
Sujoy Ghosh’s taut thriller put Vidya Balan at the center of a gripping cat-and-mouse chase, but Nawazuddin Siddiqui made sure his presence was just as impactful. As Intelligence Bureau officer A. Khan, he wasn’t the morally spotless cop Bollywood usually celebrated as he was brusque, impatient, even intimidating, yet alarmingly real. Nawaz played Khan with awe-inspiring precision, layering the character with bureaucratic arrogance and flashes of vulnerability. His sharp energy brought balance to Vidya Balan’s understated calm, making the final act even more chilling.
Talaash: The Answer Lies Within (2012)
In Reema Kagti’s noir-tinted psychological drama, Nawazuddin played Tehmur Langda, a physically disabled hustler hovering on the margins of Mumbai’s underbelly. Despite sharing the screen with Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Rani Mukerji, he etched one of the film’s most unforgettable characters. His limp wasn’t just a physical quirk; it symbolized his bruised existence in a city of glittering illusions. Nawaz infused Tehmur with equal parts desperation and dignity, creating a character so lived-in that audiences carried his final moments long after the credits rolled. It was the rare case where a side character became the emotional heartbeat of a mainstream film.
Manjhi – The Mountain Man (2015)
Carrying an entire biopic on his shoulders, Nawazuddin transformed into Dashrath Manjhi, the poor laborer who defied destiny and literally carved a road through a mountain. It wasn’t just an inspirational story—it was a performance that demanded physical grit and emotional honesty. Nawaz captured Manjhi’s madness, humor, love, and unshakable belief in impossible dreams. In less capable hands, the role could have been melodramatic or one-note, but Nawaz elevated it into a soulful chronicle of human resilience. Watching him wield a hammer against stone became a metaphor for his own journey in the industry—relentless, underestimated, but ultimately unstoppable.
Manto (2018)
If ever there was a role Nawazuddin was born to play, it was Saadat Hasan Manto. Under Nandita Das’ direction, he dissolved into the legendary writer’s world of sharp truths, unfiltered emotions, and rebellious artistry. His Manto wasn’t a saint or a martyr but a flawed genius constantly at war with society’s hypocrisies. Nawaz’s ability to balance fragility with fire made this performance one of the most layered portrayals of a historical figure in Indian cinema. The way he inhabited Manto’s silences was as powerful as his rants—proof that some performances are not just “acted” but lived.
Thackeray (2019)
Playing a political icon like Balasaheb Thackeray is no easy task—it invites scrutiny, comparisons, and controversy. Yet Nawaz stepped into the role with astonishing command. He mirrored Thackeray’s oratory style, mannerisms, and steely gaze with uncanny accuracy, while avoiding caricature. More than mimicry, he conveyed the charisma and polarizing aura that made Thackeray both revered and feared. The film may have had its limitations, but Nawaz’s performance stood out as proof that he can embody real-life figures as convincingly as fictional ones.
Each of these roles reflects Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s fearless choices and dedication to storytelling. From supporting roles that elevated the narrative to leading characters that carried entire films, he continues to redefine what it means to be a versatile actor in Indian cinema. With Thama, Raat Akeli Hai 2, and his acclaimed festival outing I’m Not an Actor, Nawazuddin Siddiqui continues to expand his horizon, reaffirming why every performance from him is nothing short of an experience worth waiting for. As audiences revisit his journey, these five performances stand as reminders of why Nawazuddin remains one of India’s finest acting treasures.