Nawazuddin Siddiqui: Exclusive: You don’t need to suffer to prove your worth, say Nawazuddin & Shora Siddiqui | Hindi Movie News
At 16, I didn’t know what clothes to wear. At 16, she knows what profile works best on camera. If I’m disciplining Shora, she’ll tell me, “Don’t raise your voice. Don’t be rude.” I never had the courage to say that to my father: NawazuddinWhy is speaking up misinterpreted as disrespect or rebellion? What’s wrong with standing up for yourself? Sharing your opinion isn’t the same as talking back: ShoraNawazuddin Siddiqui’s daughter, Shora, has inherited her father’s piercing eyes, while her features recall a young Aishwarya Rai. At 16, the actor-to-be, who is set to make her film debut in an Arijit Singh project, is much like any other teenager, spirited, easygoing and seemingly unaware of just how striking she is. In her first-ever media interview, Shora sat down with her father for a candid conversation about life, love and career. While Nawazuddin advised her to stay away from junk food and opt for healthier choices, Shora was quick to turn the tables on him: vaping isn’t healthy either, she pointed out. Excerpts…What’s your take on modern love and relationships? Do you discuss this with each other?Shora: At 16, I want to focus on my studies, but I do share stories about my crushes with Mom. I’m also starting to open up to Dad. He doesn’t react at all (laughs). He’s a very protective father and doesn’t approve of anyone for me, period. I strongly believe that self-love is the most important thing. You can’t wait around for someone else to complete you. So many people choose to be single and are perfectly happy. I don’t believe in soulmates. With relationships falling apart, expecting someone to stay with you forever seems unrealistic. Also, you can’t shop for love on dating apps. Go out and meet people, bro! And if you don’t find anyone, that’s okay too.Nawaz: I’m not comfortable with dating apps either. Jis gaon se main belong karta hoon, wahan honour killings hoti thi. When I was 16, I had a crush on a girl. For three years, I just kept looking at her. Himmat hi nahi hui kabhi usse baat karne ki. And agar soulmates hote, toh divorces nahi hote.As far as my daughter is concerned, she can decide for herself once she turns 18. But tab tak usko sambhal ke rakhna mera kartavya hai. I am a protective father. She is driven and focused on her studies, so I’m happy. Yeh saari cheezein bata deti hain. Woh kaafi samajhdaar hai, which is great.
Nawazuddin Siddiqui poses with daughter Shora as she makes her interview debut with Bombay Times
What is the biggest misconception about Gen Z?Nawaz: We tend to underestimate Gen Z. We often think, “Yeh log mast-maula hain.” Shora sleeping for 10–12 hours some days used to bother me. I barely sleep for six hours, even on my days off. I follow a routine, believe in discipline and reading, and expect her to do the same. But I’ve realised that Gen Z has its own way of doing things, and that doesn’t necessarily make them irresponsible.For instance, I needed a makeup artist for this shoot, while Shora did her own makeup. We recently returned from the US after performing our 90-minute Hindi play in nine cities. I’ve been doing theatre and acting for decades, but this was Shora’s stage debut and she was completely unfazed. I was the nervous one!I’ve worked with fellow NSD actors, so I know the pressure that comes with performing on stage. I kept going over my lines, worrying about whether she would remember hers. I was excessively focused, while she was casually practising her martial arts moves before the play began. She didn’t forget a single line. The only thing she complained about was having to repeat the entire play after the fourth performance, but she kept going. Gen Z may approach life differently, but that doesn’t mean they lack ambition. I realised that after working with her.Shora, do you think the students’ protests changed how we perceive Gen Z—from the “reel generation” to change-makers?Shora: I’m glad people realised that there’s more to us than reels and TikTok. We have it in us to voice our concerns and bring about change, and I’m proud of what we can achieve. I often wonder why something as basic as speaking up is misinterpreted as disrespect or rebellion. What’s wrong with standing up for yourself? Sharing your opinion isn’t the same as talking back. Blindly taking orders and conforming often comes from fear, not respect.
Nawazuddin Siddiqui poses with daughter Shora as she makes her interview debut with Bombay Times
Do you envy the Gen Z mindset, Nawaz?Nawaz: I do. At 16, I didn’t even know what clothes to wear. At 16, she knows which profile works best on camera. I wish I had the freedom to express my thoughts to my parents and seniors the way she does. That is my biggest regret. Kaash hum bhi khulke baat kar paate apne seniors se.Look at the students’ protests. These kids are bearing the brunt of our silence and inaction. If someone ill-treated or disrespected us, hum log sunke lete the, bolne se darte the. We were spineless; they are not. They question everything. They don’t think speaking up or talking back is wrong, and I find that inspiring. I constantly feel that my seniors know more, and now the youngsters know more. Hum beech mein phas gaye hain.What is that one quality you admire in each other?Shora: He’s mature. He knows right from wrong, thinks before he acts, whereas I act before I think. I want to learn that from him, but I also wish he would listen more. When I express myself, don’t dismiss my opinion by saying, “You’re being difficult.” Hear me out first. I also want to be as good an actor as he is. I’m keen on filmmaking too.Nawaz: Gen Z has access to information and isn’t in awe of anyone. They don’t mistake self-expression for disrespect, and I find that inspiring. If I’m disciplining Shora, she’ll tell me, “Don’t raise your voice. Don’t be rude.” I never had the courage to say that to my father. She’s unapologetic about her ambitions and also knows how to enjoy life. Inko life jeeni hai; hum log sirf mehnat karte reh gaye. I’m learning from her that you don’t have to suffer to prove your worth. My struggles made me stronger and convinced me ke suffer kiye bagair kuch haaseel hi nahi ho sakta. Shora doesn’t believe that but I want her to be strong and adaptable enough to weather any storm.
Nawazuddin Siddiqui poses with daughter Shora as she makes her interview debut with Bombay Times
Reading is becoming archaic in the age of scrolling. What’s your take?Nawaz: I’m not against technology. The problem is not using your mind and becoming too reliant on or invested in virtual life. Mindless scrolling as an escape is scary because it’s unproductive. Kids don’t think reading is relevant anymore, and that’s affecting their memory and attention spans. Reading improves your ability to think, imagine and remember.Aaj ke actors ka career paanch saal se zyada chalna mushkil hai because, I feel, they lack the imagination that comes from reading and experiencing life. Where is the source material? Shah Rukh, Salman and Aamir dominated for 35 years for a reason. Woh achieve karna aasaan nahi hai. I want Shora to read more and work on her Hindi and Devanagari.Shora: For acting, I do read books, but otherwise I prefer my phone. I get easily distracted while reading and find it hard to focus. If you want to learn something, why not learn it on your phone?
Nawazuddin Siddiqui poses with daughter Shora as she makes her interview debut with Bombay Times
Gen Z questions everything; they aren’t spineless like my generationCiting the recent students’ protests, Nawaz believes today’s youngsters have achieved what his generation couldn’t. “They are bearing the brunt of our silence and inaction. If someone ill-treated or disrespected us, hum sunke lete thay, bolne se darte thay, because hum dare hue log thay. These kids question everything. They aren’t spineless, and I believe they will bring about positive change.”Author: Renuka.Vyavahare@timesofindia.com
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