Nawazuddin Siddiqui talks about the current state of Bollywood: 'What has happened to our industry is pathetic'

Nawazuddin Siddiqui has never been one to follow the crowd, and his latest choice proves it. The acclaimed actor has signed on for 'Main Actor Nahin Hoon', an indie film by director Aditya Kripalani about a depressed banker, and he has some pointed things to say about why he did it and what is wrong with Bollywood today.In conversation with Mid-Day, Nawazuddin Siddiqui did not hold back when asked about the state of the Hindi film industry. He said, "Earlier, more films were being made, so people were taking more risks. Now, few films are being made, and because of that, actors suffer too. What has happened to our industry is pathetic. Everything has become about spectacle. It's no longer about the story. There is no originality in the industry. One thing becomes successful, then everyone starts making the same thing."Despite the frustration, he remains hopeful about the future, reasoning, "Every era changes because of one film or one piece of art. Sometimes weak phases come, and then strong films change the era again. That cycle will continue."In the same conversation, when asked about inspiration, Nawazuddin pointed to Kerala as a model worth following. He noted, "In Kerala, intelligent films are being made on small budgets, and big stars are doing them because those films satisfy the actor in them."Nawazuddin Siddiqui made clear that this film was never about box office returns. He said, "There is a lot of calculation now, how much a film will earn, how many people it will reach. But this film is not for financial benefit; it's for the benefit of the actor in me. I didn't come into films because I wanted a fan club."He added, "This is my personal journey. To satisfy the audience, you have to keep doing one kind of character. I can't do that. If you love me, you will have to watch different characters."'Main Actor Nahin Hoon' stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Chitrangada Satarupa in the lead roles. The movie has been released in theatres today on May 8, 2026.