Now Reading: Nawazuddin Siddiqui on playing Faisal Khan in Gangs of Wasseypur 2
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Nawazuddin Siddiqui on playing Faisal Khan in Gangs of Wasseypur 2
As Gangs of Wasseypur 2 turns 14, Nawazuddin Siddiqui revealed that his iconic character Faisal Khan was inspired not by Hollywood gangster films but by influential men in his own village. The…
The Story in Brief
As Gangs of Wasseypur 2 turns 14, Nawazuddin Siddiqui revealed that his iconic character Faisal Khan was inspired not by Hollywood gangster films but by influential men in his own village. The actor recalled how director Anurag Kashyap simply told him the character was his to play. Nawazuddin said he briefly considered drawing from Marlon Brando and Al Pacino but instead observed zamindars who projected immense authority despite knowing little of the outside world. He revisited his village, spent time with their sons, and blended those nuances into his performance. The film remains a landmark in Indian cinema.
The Indian Opinion
Fans often romanticise gangster roles as purely inspired by Hollywood classics like The Godfather. But Nawazuddin Siddiqui grounding Faisal Khan in the mannerisms of village zamindars is a refreshing corrective. It pushes back against the lazy narrative that Indian cinema merely copies the West. The real test is whether future writers will similarly mine local, lived experiences rather than default to borrowed tropes. One hopes this anniversary prompts a deeper appreciation for rooted storytelling.
Source: siasat.com
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