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Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui has spoken out to dispel persistent rumors of a rift with his late The Lunchbox co-star, Irrfan Khan, emphasizing that he viewed the cinema icon as an elder brother and mentor.
Nawazuddin’s Clarification
In a recent interview with Hindi Rush, Nawazuddin addressed the speculation surrounding tension with Irrfan during the filming of the 2013 acclaimed movie, dismissing the reports as unfounded:
- “Just the News”: Nawazuddin stated that the “rumours of a tiff” were “just the news” and not a true reflection of reality.
- Budget Constraint: He explained that the low-budget nature of The Lunchbox meant there was no time for on-set drama. “Our film couldn’t afford this,” he said. “We were making the film in a very tight budget so we couldn’t spend time on such useless things.”
- Elder Brother Bond: Confessing his deep respect for Irrfan, Nawazuddin stated: “Irrfan bhai was my senior… I saw him as an older brother. His aashirvaad (blessing) has always been there.”
- Long Association: The actor recalled their extensive association, noting that Irrfan was his senior at the National School of Drama. He revealed he had worked on approximately seven to eight films with Irrfan, and even helped him rehearse lines and gave cues for his Hollywood projects.
The Lunchbox and Irrfan Khan’s Legacy
- The Film: Released in 2013, The Lunchbox starred Irrfan Khan and Nimrat Kaur, with Nawazuddin Siddiqui in a crucial supporting role. It garnered international acclaim, including the Grand Rail d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival and a BAFTA nomination for Best Film Not in the English Language. Nawazuddin won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role.
- Early Association: Nawazuddin had previously disclosed that he knew Irrfan from before 2000 and that Irrfan had even directed him in an hour-long film titled Alvida in 2007.
- Irrfan’s Passing: Irrfan Khan passed away in 2020 at the age of 53 after battling a neuroendocrine tumour and a colon infection.