In a candid and compelling chat with Kamiya Jani on Sunday Brunch with Curly Tales, acclaimed actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui opened up about the most extreme thing he’s ever done for a role—and let’s just say, it’s not for the faint-hearted. From surviving three days in the jungle to hospitalisation during filming, Nawazuddin revealed the intense method acting process he undertook to prepare for his chilling role in Raman Raghav 2.0.
Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s Most ‘Out Of The Box’ Experience
When asked about the craziest thing he’s ever done, Nawazuddin didn’t hesitate: it was his transformation into the eerie character of Raman Raghav. “To prepare for that role, I had to go completely out of the box. I went into the jungles for three days just to tap into the darkness within me,” he said.
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He explained that the character’s dialogue—“I don’t feel pain”—was difficult for him to internalise. “I am not like that character. I can’t even imagine hurting someone, let alone killing,” Nawazuddin shared. To make himself believe in the mindset of such a brutal persona, he isolated himself in the wild, pushing both his mind and body to new extremes.
A Role That Took A Toll On His Health
Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s dedication didn’t stop at mental preparation. The actor revealed that during the shoot, he was so deeply immersed in the character’s psyche that he fell seriously ill and had to be hospitalised. “Even when I was unconscious, I was muttering dialogues from the film,” he said.
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Despite the toll, Nawazuddin stayed in character for nearly a month. It was a commitment that tested not only his craft but also his physical limits. “Once I came back from the jungle, the shoot began immediately. I was in the same zone the entire time,” he added.
Finding Himself Through His Characters
For Nawazuddin, acting goes beyond performance—it’s a journey of self-discovery. “When you tap into such intense emotions, you realise the best and worst of you exists within. There’s wildness, willingness, and softness all inside us,” he said, reflecting on his process.
He believes that understanding a character so deeply also brings him closer to understanding himself. “We often run from knowing who we really are. With each role, especially one like Raman Raghav, I take a step closer to discovering myself,” Nawazuddin concluded.
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From jungles to hospital beds, Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s commitment proves that for him, acting is not just a job—it’s a transformative experience. Watch the full episode on the Curly Tales YouTube channel.
Cover Image Courtesy: Internal