Nawazuddin Siddiqui has sparked a fresh debate about honesty in Hindi cinema after criticising what he described as “fake” films dominating the industry.
Speaking at a public event, the actor questioned whether filmmakers are prioritising truth in storytelling or shaping narratives that mislead audiences.
The 51-year-old actor shared his views during a session at NDTV Creators’ Manch Season 2, where discussions focused on storytelling, truth in cinema, and the influence of films on society.
During the conversation, Siddiqui expressed concern over the type of films currently being produced in the Hindi film industry.
According to him, audiences today are more aware than ever about the narratives being presented on screen and can recognise the intentions behind them.
‘Fake films are being made,’ says Siddiqui
The actor did not hold back while describing the current state of filmmaking.
“Samaaj ko galat disha mein le jaane ki zarurat nahi hai. Sachhai bohot important hai, aur sachhai har insaan aaj ki date mein jaanta hai,” Siddiqui said during the session.
He added that people are aware of what is happening globally and can easily understand the narratives being constructed through cinema.
“Nahi, jhoothi filmain ban rahi hain hamarey yahan. Fake filmein ban rahi hain… Duniya mein kya ho raha hai sab jaantey hain. Asli sachhai kya hai, yeh bhi sab jaantey hain,” he remarked.
Debate over cinema’s role in society
Siddiqui’s remarks came in response to a question about global tensions and whether filmmakers should help guide society through responsible storytelling.
According to the actor, audiences today closely follow world events and are capable of understanding how certain narratives are created or promoted.
His comments have revived an old debate in Bollywood: should cinema focus solely on entertainment, or should it remain grounded in truth and social responsibility?
On the professional front, Nawazuddin Siddiqui was last seen in the Netflix crime thriller Raat Akeli Hai: The Bansal Murders.
The actor also has several projects lined up for the future. He has recently been confirmed to join the cast of the sequel to the critically acclaimed 2018 horror-fantasy film Tumbbad.
.jpg)
