Nawazuddin Siddiqui stresses the importance of indie films in India

Nawazuddin Siddiqui, a stalwart of Indian independent cinema, has long been celebrated for his performances in critically acclaimed films such as The Lunchbox, Photograph, and Gangs of Wasseypur. In a recent conversation, the 51-year-old actor reflected on the challenges indie films face in India, where commercial blockbusters often overshadow smaller, artistic projects.

Speaking about the future of independent cinema, Nawazuddin remarked, “I’ll keep doing independent cinema. It is very important to balance it with a certain kind of mass film. I think it will be very bad if it happens (independent cinema fizzles out). I think it should continue to be made... Our classical forms, be it songs, dance, etc., have never been popular because only a few people can understand it.”

The actor emphasized that while mainstream films play a crucial role in the industry, indie films hold a unique place as “classical art forms” designed for niche audiences. “If you want to do it for the masses, and if you want to do it in an artistic way, then that is a different thing. If you want to do it for the masses, then you have to include certain things in it, but the pure art and classical things have never been made for the masses,” he explained.

Nawazuddin also highlighted the advantages of working in commercial films. He noted that mainstream successes provide wider visibility, which in turn helps independent projects reach a larger audience. “The biggest advantage of big films is that more people see you. So, when you see small films, and if we get even five per cent of the audience, then that's the biggest benefit. More people started to know about me with these films. Most independent films are released on a smaller scale, get fewer screens, and hence, fewer people watch them,” he added.

Currently, Nawazuddin is receiving praise for his role as a vampire in Aditya Sarpotdar’s horror comedy Thamma, starring alongside Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna. Part of the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe, the film features Nawazuddin as the antagonist and has garnered positive reviews following its Diwali release. Impressively, Thamma earned ₹93 crore at the box office in just four days, highlighting the growing acceptance of genre-based cinema in India.

Balancing both independent and mainstream films, Nawazuddin Siddiqui continues to champion niche storytelling while using his star power to give indie projects the visibility they deserve, proving that art and commerce can coexist in today’s cinematic landscape.