Nawazuddin on lack of big-budget roles for Irrfan, Manoj

Nawazuddin Siddiqui has attributed Bollywood’s star culture to the waning interest of audiences in watching films in theatres, which he believes is a key factor in the industry's ongoing box office challenges.In an interview with Hindustan Times, Nawazuddin distinguishes between two types of actors: industry actors and public actors. While industry actors may not have a widespread public following, their films often reach homes through various platforms.

In contrast, public actors, though highly sought after by audiences, struggle to get their films released on a large scale. He points out that despite the immense talent of actors like Om Puri, Irrfan Khan, Manoj Bajpayee, and Naseeruddin Shah, their films are not released on a big enough scale to reach the masses, which he sees as a significant issue.Siddiqui has previously discussed how filmmakers have never considered making ₹20–30 crore films with talented actors like the late Irrfan Khan, Manoj Bajpayee, Naseeruddin Shah, or Om Puri, despite their immense acting prowess. When asked if he feels similarly underappreciated as an actor, Nawazuddin responded candidly, acknowledging that he shares the same feelings as these great actors. He added that it's clear from the audience’s response when these actors appear in films—people want to see them on the big screen.

At 50, Nawazuddin contrasts Bollywood with the

South Indian film industry

, highlighting a key difference: “In the South, actors are the ones behind films that earn Rs 500 to Rs 1000 crore at the box office. Unfortunately, in Bollywood, the actors leading Rs 100 crore or Rs 200 crore movies don’t even come close to matching the talent from the South. They are adorned like peacocks with songs, choreography, and action, yet there's no guarantee of success.”He also pointed out that if big stars can't guarantee

box office success

, it's questionable why filmmakers continue to make Rs 100 crore movies with them. He argued that even with so-called "actors" who are skilled in acting, there’s no certainty of success, suggesting that films should instead feature talented performers. He praised the South film industry for casting genuinely skilled actors in Rs 500 crore movies, highlighting this as a key strength.When asked about filmmaker Anurag Kashyap's shift away from the Mumbai-centric Bollywood scene, Nawazuddin acknowledged that it was a result of these industry dynamics, expressing disappointment. He shared a personal connection, calling Anurag not just a friend but like a brother. Nawazuddin also addressed actor Seema Pahwa’s recent remarks about considering leaving the industry due to a lack of lead roles. He emphasized that her statement is significant, given her immense talent, and that it points to a deeper issue within the industry.