Published: 09:18 AM, 04 May 2026
Nawazuddin Siddiqui recalls doubting himself at the beginning of his career
Before Gangs of Wasseypur catapulted him to nationwide fame, life looked very different for Nawazuddin Siddiqui. He arrived in Mumbai with barely any money, took up work as a watchman to make ends meet, and immersed himself in theatre to hone his craft. After years of getting by on little more than tea and Parle-G biscuits, he finally earned the recognition he deserved – yet has remained characteristically modest about his journey.
In a recent interview, the 51-year-old actor opened up about the struggles that preceded his rise to fame, his unwavering dedication to his craft, and how he coped with the hardships along the way. He recalled grappling with moments of self-doubt, often feeling as though luck was not on his side in the industry. The emotional toll of those years weighed heavily on his mental health, at times leaving him in tears on the streets.
In an April 2026 interview with Radio Nasha, Siddiqui opened up about the emotional toll of those years of struggle. He recalled grappling with bouts of self-doubt, as his confidence began to waver, and admitted that he started equating the lack of work with a failure in his own learning and growth.
He recounted, “In the beginning, you have a lot of confidence and passion. But gradually, after facing repeated struggles, your confidence starts to fade. You begin to doubt yourself, whether what you learned was wrong, which is why you’re not getting work.”
The Thamma actor admitted that at times he felt simply unlucky, while at others he questioned his own suitability for the craft, wondering if he was truly cut out for it. He added, “I have seen that mental state where I started doubting myself, felt unfit. It feels like bad luck has struck you – like every opportunity slips away just when you’re about to get it. For almost 10 years, I felt like I was manhus (unlucky). Whenever a big opportunity came, it would suddenly slip away.”
