Nawazuddin Siddiqui photographed in Mumbai.
Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui is happy that the audience has finally accepted him as a solo hero with the success of his latest film
Manjhi: The Mountain Man.
The film was based on the life of Dashrath Manjhi, a labourer in Gehlaur village (Bihar), who made a path through a mountain with only a hammer and chisel.
Though the film leaked online just days before the release, Nawazuddin said people still turned up to watch it in theatres.
"It feels really nice to get a central character in a film. But in our industry, there is a belief that your solo lead films should register well at the box-office. The film leaked and CDs were sold and still the movie made good enough money at the box-office. It was also declared tax-free in 5-6 states. So, we benefitted a lot. It is a very nice feeling that people are accepting me as a solo hero," the actor told PTI. (Also Read:
Did You Miss Nawazuddin and Several Other Actors in These Movies?)
Nawazuddin's upcoming projects include superstar Shah Rukh Khan's
Raees and Shlok Sharma's teacher-student love story
Haramkhor opposite
Masaan actress Shweta Tripathi.
Raees will see the actor sharing screen space with Shah Rukh for the first time. Nawazuddin, who has earlier worked with both Aamir and Salman Khan, is all praise for the
Chennai Express star. (Also Read:
I am Overwhelmed: Nawazuddin Siddiqui on Manjhi Response)
"First schedule is complete. I shot with Shah Rukh and I had an amazing experience working with him. I really enjoyed shooting with him," he said. (Also Read:
Shah Rukh, Salman, Aamir Are My Co-Stars, Not 'Stars': Nawazuddin)
When asked to comment on the reports that he is playing Pakistani actress Mahira Khan's husband in the film and his character has grey shades, Nawazuddin said, "I haven't heard of any such thing. I play a cop in the film. I can't divulge much about the movie." (Also Read:
Nawazuddin Siddiqui Was Unaware of Mahira Khan's 'No Intimacy' Rule)
Haramkhor is a sensitive story of a relationship between a teacher (Nawazuddin) and his student (Shweta) based on an incident from Shlok's life.
"The film is based on reality. Shlok has a great command over story, how teachers and students behave because this incident happened in his life. He has witnessed something like this and I am very happy that I am bringing it on screen," Nawazuddin said.