Bidita Bag on getting overshadowed by Nawazuddin and more…

Her first Bollywood venture, ‘From Sydney With Love’ may not have done wonders at the box office, but her next with Nawazuddin Siddiqui surely looks promising. With an extremely bold role to play, Bidita Bag is back to conquer the world of Bollywood with ‘Babumoshai Bandookbaaz’.

In a candid chat with Bollywood Bubble, Bidita spoke her heart out about this film and her co-star Nawazuddin Siddiqui.

Excerpts from the interview…

How was it working with Nawazuddin Siddiqui?

It was really great. He is a very nice person. He is so grounded and he always supports his co-actors, bringing out the best in them.

Did he give you any tips?

Not as such, as throughout the film he was in Babu’s character…

Were you skeptical before taking up this project, considering the controversies that this film faced?

Before taking up this project yes, but after reading the script, I was very sure that I want to be a part of this film. I was very sure that I want to do this film as the script is very nice.

Any similarity between Bidita and Phulwa?

As such no but Phulwa is a very independent woman. She is a fighter actually. She fights for herself. So I guess fighting spirit is something that is common between us.

So was it a challenging role to play that is so different from your real self? 

That’s the challenge actually. That is why an actor chooses this profession. In one life time you get to play so many characters. And my directed Kushan Nandy guided me at every phase. He guided me so well that I did not have to think much. I just followed his instructions.

Did you ever feel that you will get overshadowed by Nawaz?

No, not at all. We all are doing our part in the film and if I start to think like that, I am underestimating myself. So this is what I have learnt from my very first film; never underestimate yourself or you co-actors. Also, overestimate anyone. So if I start thinking that he is Nawazuddin Siddiqui, I will not be able to act. Even in intense scenes when I am making love to him or while slapping him, I won’t be able to do it, if I think like that. On set he is Babu, outside he is ‘The Nawazuddin Siddiqui’.

But that’s about Babu, what do you have to say about real Nawazuddin Siddiqui?

He is a gem of a person. He is a star now, but still he is so grounded. He talks with his every co-actor and makes them feel comfortable. He cracks jokes and entertains a lot.

With ‘Phulwa’ being an extremely bold character, do you feel that you will get typecast as an actor in Bollywood? 

No. After doing this film, I have done three films. And they knew that I have done this film that has very steamy scenes in this film. But I got a film for children called ‘T For Taj Mahal’. Then I did ‘Daya Bai’ which is a biopic. And then there is a gangster film.

Your debut film ‘From Sydney With Love’ failed to do great at the box office, so do you think it is necessary to make a debut opposite big star?

No, look whatever we think, life has its own plans. Whatever we think, never works. But we can only give our 100%. My first film flopped, that gave me many life lessons. I became more practical. I understood, ‘mere dost kaun hai, dushman kaun hai’. 

Do you see any difference in Bengali cinema and Hindi cinema?

No, I choose my films on the basis of content. If any industry will offer me a good role, I will do it. But yes, Bengali films is a smaller industry and it churns out as much as films as Bollywood does. But budget thoda kaam hota hai, facilities bhi kaam milti hai…

Lastly, any Bollywood director on you wish list?

I don’t have a wish list right now. Look, if I have a wishlist, they should also want to work me. If I say I want to work with Sanjay Leela Bhansali or Imtiaz Ali, the question is do they want to work me? That’s the real question. (Also Read: Babumoshai Bandookbaaz movie review: This one had the potential to be better)

She signs off…

Nikita Thakkar

A strongly opinionated, free-spirited, budding Bollywood journalist, she likes to write anything in her own quirky style. When not running around to get assigned tasks completed, you will find her either painting, indulging in photography or dreaming in the la la land.