EXCLUSIVE: The path that led Indian celebrity Nawazuddin Siddiqui to the main role in independent director Aditya Kripalani’s new movie, I’m Not An Actor, began with a simple interaction on Instagram. Siddiqui, a prominent figure with nearly 10 million followers, shared an image paired with a song which caught Kripalani’s eye.
Both Kripalani and Siddiqui chuckle as they recount this unique story. Kripalani, who is also one of Siddiqui’s many followers, commented on the post, playfully requesting the song’s title since it wasn’t mentioned. “I asked if one of his 10 million followers could identify the song,” Kripalani explains, highlighting the distinct worlds of indie cinema and mainstream Bollywood in India.
A follower soon responded with the song’s name, “Desire” by Ruby Haunt, an indie duo from Los Angeles, which Kripalani listened to on repeat for a week. Grateful, Kripalani thanked the helpful follower, prompting a direct response from Siddiqui. “He expressed delight that I liked the song, and suddenly I realized he knew I existed,” Kripalani reminisced.
This exchange sparked the creation of the India-Germany co-production, I’m Not An Actor. In the film, Siddiqui portrays a melancholic retired banker in Frankfurt who forms a connection with a struggling actress from Mumbai, played by Chitrangada Satarupa. Through virtual acting lessons, the film explores their cultural and personal journeys across continents.
In an exclusive conversation with Deadline, Siddiqui and Kripalani delve into their serendipitous first meeting and the ensuing video calls during the pandemic that inspired the movie’s script. Siddiqui, known for his roles in films like Thamma (2025), Sacred Games (2018), and Gangs of Wasseypur (2012), also shared his reasons for not charging a fee for his role in this project.
Siddiqui took on the role of a producer for I’m Not An Actor through his company, Side Hero Entertainment, collaborating with Faizuddin Siddiqui and Sweta Chhabria of Mumba Devi Motion Pictures. The film premiered at the Cinequest Film Festival and is set to release in the UK on November 7.
After the Contact
Following their Instagram interaction, Kripalani leveraged his indie filmmaker instincts. “I’m a hustler. I managed to get Nawaz’s contact, messaged him, and we arranged to meet,” he says. Their initial meeting lasted five hours, bonding over shared artistic views and life perspectives.
Siddiqui’s intrigue was piqued by their mutual taste in music, prompting an immediate interest in meeting Kripalani. “It showed we might be on the same wavelength,” Siddiqui reflects. He was soon presented with scripts, choosing I’m Not An Actor for its unique challenge of portraying a non-actor.
Kripalani’s film idea germinated during the pandemic, inspired by the intimate revelations of video calls with his family. This concept evolved into the narrative of an acting workshop conducted via video, allowing deep psychological exploration of the characters.
Supporting India’s Indie Filmmakers
Siddiqui’s decision not to charge a fee underscores his commitment to supporting quality cinema. “It’s about supporting good films first,” he states, emphasizing the importance of balancing commercial blockbusters with indie projects to sustain diverse cinematic expressions.
Kripalani highlights Siddiqui’s professionalism and adaptability, sharing anecdotes from the shoot in Frankfurt, where Siddiqui navigated the city on a bicycle, embracing the simplicity and freedom unlike typical Bollywood stars.
Releasing ‘I’m Not An Actor’ to the World
The film’s screening at the New York Indian Film Festival was particularly moving for Siddiqui, especially with filmmaker Anurag Kashyap in the audience—a reminder of his cinematic journey. Kripalani notes that while the film began as a drama, it naturally took on comedic elements through Siddiqui’s performance, leading to unexpected bursts of laughter from the audience.
Reflecting on his career, Siddiqui jokes, “If not an actor, then I’d be a struggling actor,” underscoring his passion for the craft and the absence of a fallback plan, fully committed to the life of an actor.
Daniel Hayes is a business journalist with a focus on market trends, startups, and corporate strategies.
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