In a fascinating revelation that connects two of Bollywood's most distinct talents, it has come to light that acclaimed actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui once played mentor to a young Ranveer Singh before his blockbuster debut. This behind-the-scenes nugget adds a new layer to the journeys of both stars, highlighting the often-unseen workshops that shape cinematic careers.
The Mentor and The Protege: A Pre-Fame Workshop
Nawazuddin Siddiqui, celebrated for his powerful performances in films like 'Gangs of Wasseypur', 'The Lunchbox', and 'Badlapur', once conducted acting workshops. In a candid chat with Pinkvilla, Siddiqui reflected on this phase, confirming that Ranveer Singh trained under him for a short period to prepare for his debut role in Aditya Chopra's 'Band Baaja Baaraat'.
However, Siddiqui, known for his realistic acting chops, holds a firm belief about the art. He does not think acting can be formally 'taught'. Speaking about his experience with Singh, he explained, "I trained Ranveer for a while for his role in Band Baaja Baarat. I had become the 'workshop guy'. I used to say that whoever wants to be an actor and get launched, I am there for you."
He elaborated on his philosophy, stating, "Even though he was in the workshop, I don't believe you actually teach acting; he had his own capabilities. All I did was show him several ways to use that skill, but at the end of the day, the person has to do it themselves." Siddiqui also credited theatre institutions like the National School of Drama (NSD) for shaping the landscape of realistic cinema in India.
Karan Johar's Initial Doubts About Ranveer Singh
Interestingly, Ranveer Singh's casting and initial appearance did not inspire confidence in everyone. Filmmaker Karan Johar once admitted on his talk show 'Koffee with Karan' that he seriously doubted Singh's potential to be a leading man.
Recalling a meeting with the late Yash Chopra, Johar said, "I was meeting Yash uncle for lunch. So, some assistant directors were playing table tennis. Aditya Chopra pointed out that one of those boys is not an AD; he is the boy who is starring in Band Baaja Baaraat. I said, 'Who?'"
His skepticism extended to the film's marketing. Karan Johar advised Yash Chopra to change the film's poster, confessing, "I saw the poster of the film, and I told them that they have to change this poster. I was like, 'I have no hope. I'm not going to go and see this film."
His opinion, however, did a complete turnaround after watching the movie. He admitted, "I went to see this film, and I was like, 'Oh my god. He's a movie star.'" This moment marked the beginning of Ranveer Singh's meteoric rise in the industry.
Where Are They Now? Current Projects
Today, both actors are thriving in their respective spaces. Ranveer Singh is currently riding high on the massive success of his recent film 'Dhurandhar', directed by Aditya Dhar. The movie, which also features R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, and Sara Arjun, has been a box office juggernaut. According to industry tracker Sacnilk, 'Dhurandhar' has crossed the remarkable milestone of Rs 500 crore at the domestic box office. Singh is already set to reprise his role in the film's sequel.
On the other hand, Nawazuddin Siddiqui can currently be seen in the mystery thriller 'Raat Akeli Hai: The Bansal Murders', continuing his streak of choosing compelling and intense roles. Their parallel journeys, once briefly intersecting in a workshop, now represent the diverse and vibrant spectrum of success in Indian cinema.
