Over the years, many Bollywood heroes have played the anti-hero. Be it Ajay Devgn in Khaaki, Once Upon A Time in Mumbai, Deewangee to Shah Rukh Khan playing an obsessive lover and underworld mafia in Baazigar, Darr, Don 2 and Raees, to Sanjay Dutt playing a criminal in Khalnayak and Vaastav. Filmmakers and actors have experimented with shades of grey to bring for its viewers a gripping story that is action-packed and entertaining. Now joining them is Nawazuddin Siddiqui who will be seen playing a sharpshooter in Babumoshai Bandookbaaz which is slated to release on August 25, 2017.
“Anti-heroes in Bollywood are usually larger-than-life. Filmmakers try to justify such roles by telling you that they were once nice. This is the first time I am playing such a character, Babu. He flirts openly and says whatever comes to him without thinking twice what he is saying; you can say that he is besharm. He has no qualities of a hero in him. There is both excitement and nervousness as this is a very different movie and I hope the audience will accept me in this role,” Siddiqui tells you.
like in every anti-hero movie where romance has always grabbed eyeballs, the sizzling chemistry and bold scenes in this film between Babu and Phulwa, a cobbler, played by Bengali actress Bidita Bag has become the talk of the town.
“Romancing on big screens depends upon how much your co-actor is supportive and comfortable with you. Bidita, thankfully completely surrendered herself to these scenes and they were shot smoothly. As a co-star, we share a level of understanding. I made sure that she would not feel uncomfortable during these shots,” Siddiqui says.
After replacing Chitrangada Singh overnight, who quit the movie midway accusing the director Kushan Nandi for making her uncomfortable by taking too many retakes of the sex scenes, Bidita came on board.
“Phulwa is a very bold and passionate woman who falls for Babu. The character is very interesting and challenging. First, I am a Bengali and not well versed in UP and Bihari dialect. Second, working opposite Nawazuddin Siddiqui was a big opportunity,” Bidita says and has some interesting projects on hand.
In one movie, she will be seen playing a social activist and another (still untitled project) is based on a true story who is forced to leave her studies and become a gangster.
“Some actresses are comfortable doing bold scenes. But some have apprehensions. They think about what their family or the society might think and say. I thought I might get typecast in Bollywood after doing this movie. I am lucky that nothing of this sort happened. For me, if I am content with the script, I will obediently follow it. like one does comedy or drama, intimate scene is also part of acting. Why can’t we treat it like thatIJ Why do people always make a big hue and cry about doing bold scenesIJ” Bidita asks.