Nawazuddin Siddiqui Birthday Special: Badlapur, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, The Lunchbox - which is your favourite performance of the actor?

As Nawazuddin Siddiqui turns 42, we do a recap of the films where the powerhouse actor simply outshone his colleagues

By Urmimala Banerjee
| Updated: May 19, 2016 9:22 AM IST

Seven times when the poster boy of Indie cinema demanded a standing ovation!

Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s success story is a truly inspirational one. The actor’s just got a standing ovation at Cannes for Raman Raghav 2.0 and has been reportedly finalized to play Saadat Hasan Manto in a film helmed by Nandita Das. On his birthday today, let us know which performance of his have you adored so far. Also Read - Nawazuddin Siddiqui's wife Aaliya Pandey looks glamorous and classy in latest photoshoot

Layak in Badlapur
Sriram Raghavan’s noir thriller was made a hundred times more memorable by Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s brilliant performance. The junta loved his repartee with Murli Sharma in jail, felt sorry at his lovelorn state and was amazed by how he had a change of heart at the end. Layak was intense, egoistic yet subtle and Nawaz aced the character. Also Read - After Sikandar, Salman Khan to announce Bajrangi Bhaijaan 2? Writer shares important update

Faizal Khan in Gangs of Wasseypur
After years in the wilderness, he finally came under the limelight with his portrayal of Faizal Khan in Gangs of Wasseypur I and II. The actor gave his 200 per cent to Faizal, a marijuana smoker who unwillingly gets pushed into gang war and power politics. Also Read - Big screens to OTT: Can you guess who are the highest-paid Indian celebs on digital?

Tehmur in Talaash
In a film boasting of stars like Aamir Khan, Rani Mukerji and Kareena Kapoor Khan, people came out talking about Nawazuddin’s Tehmur. A pimp who walked with a limp, Tehmur was shrewd, sentimental and dangerous. From the intense looks to the nervous body language, it was sheer acting prowess in every frame.

Inspector Khan in Kahaani
The actor had reportedly told filmmaker Sujoy Ghosh that he was taking a risk casting him as an ‘officer’ in the film. We are sure zillions of film buffs would be applauding Ghosh’s vision as Nawaz’s Khan is a part of modern film history. Taciturn, egoistic, rude and chauvinistic, Nawaz’s brought Khan’s character alive on screen.

Shaikh in The Lunchbox
Perhaps one of Nawazuddin’s most endearing characters, Shaikh is an inquisitive yet affable subordinate who wants to know his senior Sajjan Fernandes (Irrfan Khan) better for personal gains. It is also one of the rare films where his performance does not tower over his co-actors.

Chand Nawab in Bajrangi Bhaijaan
This one has to be the most loved performance of Nawazuddin. Bumbling, endearing with a personal sense of righteousness, Nawaz added his chutzpah to the role of Chand Nawab. His portrayal garnered more fame for the Pakistani journo of the same name.

Sonu in Miss Lovely
As Sonu, Nawaz was superb in Ashim Ahluwalia’s art-house film that captured the seedy underbelly of the horrex films of the 1980s. Whether it was his chemistry with Niharika Singh or the somewhat debauched sense of ambition, the actor nailed it.

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ByUrmimala Banerjee
Updated: May 19, 2016 9:22 AM IST