Quotes from Nawazuddin Siddiqui

At first, I was hesitant when it came to giving autographs, thinking that I am not even worth giving one. But slowly I got over that phase.

'Ali' is the story of a lower middle-class golfer who becomes a champion. I find the game very interesting and would like to continue playing it regularly after the movie is wrapped up.

Back in 1993, I was studying in Delhi, and I had a girlfriend. I had never touched a girl before that in my entire life. One day, I decided to go out with her to a garden. We were sitting beside each other, and I just glanced around to see if anyone was looking at us, and I put my hand over hers. I thought love started in this way.

Most people go to ashrams or retreats to destress and rejuvenate themselves. But I come back to my roots, the place where I spent half my life. And when I return, I spend time in the farms, eating a stalk of sugarcane, driving a tractor, and chilling with childhood friends.

My character in the first instalment of 'GOW' was very shy and reserved. It was completely different from 'Kahaani,' where I played a no-nonsense cop. And in the second instalment of 'GOW,' it is again very different.

Before 'Raman Raghav 2.0,' I played a criminal in 'Badlapur.' Though the character was innocent, he was not correctly interpreted by some sections of the audience.

I grew fond of acting rather late. And that was because I was not getting any job. I had a few friends in Delhi who were associated with theater. They took me to see some plays in Delhi and Baroda. That led me to believe the I could also act. And it was after that I joined National School of Drama in 1993.

You will never see me dancing around the trees, chasing a heroine; I will never do films, no matter what the budget, for the heck of it.

Coming from a small town, I didn't have big dreams. My biggest ambition was to find a job for myself.

The success of 'Kick' will help in the marketing of other small budget independent films I have acted in.

I have fallen in love so many times. If one relationship ended, I would search for another girl. I was always madly in love with all the girls that I dated.

I don't want my work to be heavy. The challenge is to make it interesting and engaging, keeping in mind the need for method acting. This is what I have learnt from Bharat Muni's 'Natya Shastra' and from the Russian theatre legend Stanislavsky.

'Freaky Ali' is not a heavy film. It's a simple but inspiring film. It will inspire those who want to go from zero to hundred. People who have made an effort to achieve success from nothing will be able to connect to the character.

I feel happy that I am being honoured for doing films of my own liking.

I prefer if friends come over to my office and we talk our heart out over a cup of coffee. I feel that no one talks freely at industry bashes. Everyone has to behave in a certain way, and I think no one is real there. We can't have heart-to-heart conversations, and I start feeling uncomfortable at such dos.

I found the brick-making process fascinating - how, after being burnt, the brick would come out strong. I liked to sit on the stack of bricks and look as far as I could. I'd do the same at a hillock near my school - just sit on top at leisure and enjoy the feeling of being on top of the world.

I am from a family of farmers from Budhana near Muzaffarnagar.

'Kahaani' gave me popularity and 'Gangs of Wasseypur' stardom.

I interact with journalists all the time, and I note how they behave.

Many actors come and disappear into oblivion. But not Salman Khan.

I have done theatre, and I enjoy the process of smaller films a lot more. When I do such films, there are certain things which I get to do which are untapped. The scenes give me the liberty to play and mould the character in accordance to the director's mindset.

I have seen people climbing up and down the ladder of success, and I learnt a lot from them.

Love stories should be relatable.

My experience has offered me the sensibility that encourages me to try newer characters.