EXCLUSIVE: Nawazuddin Siddiqui Recalls Being Thrown Out Of A Project For Being Dark Skinned, Confesses, “When I Went To Meet Producers…”

Nawazuddin Siddiqui recently impressed everyone with his stint in Zee5’s Costao. In recent times, the actor has been vocal about his struggles in the industry and shared how he faced racism. In an exclusive chat with Bollywood Bubble, Nawazuddin recalls how he was thrown out of a project for being dark skinned.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui on being rejected for being dark skinned

During a rapid fire segment, the actor opens up about worst reason he has heard for rejection. To which he replied, “Main kaala hoon. (I am dark skinned).”

Recalling an incident, the actor quips, “So what happened was once an agency saw my picture and selected me for a part. This was like 15 years ago when music videos were the rage. They selected me as the hero as they liked how I looked in the picture. The thing was, it was an old photo that had faded and turned white. So after looking at photo they thought, ‘Wow, this model looks good.’ Back then, I was slim and looked decent, so they called me in. Jab main gaya unke pass toh kisi ne bataya ki Nawazuddin aagaya hai. And the producer came out searching for me asking Nawaz Kahan hai? (When I went there, someone said, ‘Nawazuddin has arrived.’ The producer came out looking for me).”

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He added, “Then I told him I was standing in front of him. He then got astonished and questioned, ‘Aap Ho Nawaz’. After I assured he said, ‘Photo mein toh aap kuch aur dikh rahe the.’ Maine Kaha wo photo thoda purana hai, white hogaya hai. (He was shocked and asked, ‘You’re Nawaz?’ I confirmed it, and he said, ‘But you looked completely different in the photo.’ I told him it was an old picture, and it had faded). They then told me, ‘Do one thing, come tomorrow.’ Since that day I never received a call from them.”

Nawazuddin upcoming movies

On the work front, the actor recently appeared in Zee5 film Costao which is based on the true story of a resilient custom officer Costao Fernandes. His upcoming projects include Maddock’s Thana which features Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna.

Also Read: Nawazuddin Siddiqui comments on social media scrutiny surrounding his personal life; says, “Everything is a lie on the internet”

Aakruti Bagla

With over 4 years of experience, Aakruti Bagla is a Bollywood and Television enthusiast working as a content writer and anchor in Bollywood Bubble. Whether reporting on red carpet moments or diving into long-form features, she aims to tell stories that resonate with readers and reveal the people behind the personas.