Nawazuddin Siddiqui Criticises ‘Fake Films’ Trend in Bollywood, Sparks Debate on Truth in Cinema

Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui has sparked fresh debate about the state of Hindi cinema after criticising what he described as “fake” films being produced in the industry. The actor shared his views during a recent public interaction, stressing the importance of honesty in storytelling and cautioning filmmakers against misleading audiences.

The remarks were made during a session at NDTV Creators’ Manch Season 2, where Siddiqui spoke about cinema’s influence on society and the responsibility filmmakers carry while shaping narratives.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui Emphasises Truth in Storytelling

During the discussion, Siddiqui said filmmakers should avoid pushing society in the wrong direction and prioritise truthful storytelling.

“Samaaj ko galat disha mein le jaane ki zarurat nahi hai. Sacchai bahut important hai, aur sacchai har insaan aaj ki date mein jaanta hai. Jis tarah ki filmein ban rahi hain, unke peeche ki sacchai kya hai, aap jaante hain, lekin aap bolenge nahi.”

The actor suggested that audiences today are far more aware of narratives presented on screen and can recognise the intentions behind them.

When asked about the growing trend of narrative-driven films in the industry, Siddiqui rejected the idea that these films reflect reality.

“Nahi, jhoothi filmein ban rahi hain hamare yahan. Fake filmein ban rahi hain. Yeh sab jaante hain. Duniya mein kya ho raha hai, sab jaante hain. Asli sacchai kya hai, yeh bhi sab jaante hain.”

Comments Come Amid Discussion on Global Events

Siddiqui’s remarks emerged during a broader conversation about the role of cinema in shaping public perception, particularly during times of global tension, including geopolitical conflicts involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

According to the actor, people today closely follow international developments and understand how narratives are constructed.

“Kya jhooth phailaya ja raha hai, aur kya narrative set kiya ja raha hai. Sab iske baare mein jaante hain.”

He emphasised that audiences are capable of distinguishing between genuine storytelling and narratives designed to push particular viewpoints.

Social Media Speculates on Films Mentioned

Although Nawazuddin Siddiqui did not mention any specific film while making his remarks, clips from the event quickly circulated online, triggering strong reactions across social media.

Several users speculated that his comments may have been aimed at controversial films such as The Kerala Story and Dhurandhar, both of which have previously faced criticism from some viewers who labelled them narrative-driven or propaganda-style cinema.

Reactions online were sharply divided. Some users interpreted Siddiqui’s remarks as criticism of these films. One user wrote,

“Nawaz ne ‘Kerala Story 2’ aur ‘Dhurandhar’ jaisi filmon ko karaara thappad maara.”

Another commented,

“Dhurandhar aur Aditya Dhar ko lapet liya.”

Others strongly disagreed with the actor’s views. One comment read,

“Ye bhi vishesh kaum ka hi prani hai. Logon ne Aamir, Salman aur Shah Rukh tak ki rail bana di hai to ye kis khet ki mooli hai. In logon ka bahishkar bol kar nahi, balki poore desh se karo.”

Some users challenged the actor to make films that avoid political narratives. One post stated,

“To khud bana lo na non-propaganda film. Yeh bahut mushkil nahi hai.”

Another user wrote,

“Jis movie mein thoda sa bhi Pakistan ya Musalmanon ki kahani bata do woh propaganda movie ho jaati hai, aur wahi Hinduo ki aastha par Oh My God, PK jaisi movie ban jaye to kisi ko aitraaz nahi hota. Ye nautanki wale bhi dogale ho gaye hain.”

Despite the widespread speculation and debate online, Siddiqui himself has not clarified whether his remarks were directed at any particular film.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s Upcoming Projects

On the professional front, Siddiqui was last seen in the Netflix crime thriller Raat Akeli Hai. The actor also has several upcoming projects in development.

He has recently been confirmed as part of the cast for Tumbbad’s upcoming sequel, produced by Sohum Shah in collaboration with Pen Studios. The sequel will expand the dark mythological universe introduced in the acclaimed 2018 film.

Filming for the project is expected to begin soon.