In this edition of Time Pass, we have Nawazuddin Siddiqui in conversation with senior journalist Kaveree Bamzai about why commercial films are important, his approach towards roles in Thackeray and Manto, and more.

“An actor always likes the role where he has to work the hardest. Thackeray, for me, was a huge challenge. I worked on his physicality, dialogue delivery, thought process…. While doing a biopic, you are always scared that you don’t mimic a personality. So, that was really difficult.” Released in 2019, the film was criticised for glorifying Bal Thackeray’s exclusionist politics. Nawaz, too, was slammed for playing a character at odds with his political identity. “For an artiste, it’s always important to do different kinds of roles,” Nawaz says. “That was also my search with Thackeray."

Here's the video: