Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s Generous Gesture: No Fee for Main Actor Nahin Hoon

Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui is preparing for the release of his latest film, Main Actor Nahin Hoon. The film's director, Aditya Kripalani, recently shared insights about working with the talented actor, highlighting Nawazuddin's humility and professionalism during production.

In a conversation with Filmfare, Aditya revealed that Nawazuddin took on the project without charging any fee. He expressed his admiration for the actor's dedication, stating, "He was an absolute professional. He even bought his own ticket to reach Frankfurt, all by himself. He didn’t come with his manager.”

Aditya remarked on the significance of Nawazuddin's decision not to charge for his work, saying, "Him not charging a fee is a big thing, really big. In India, there is always that pressure of ‘how much are you earning?’ When someone like Nawaz doesn’t charge money, you can actually turn around and say, 'This is my earning.' It’s one of the high points of my career."

This isn't the first instance of Nawazuddin working without a fee; he previously accepted just Re 1 for his role in the film Manto, which received critical acclaim. Director Nandita Das praised his generosity then as well.

About Main Actor Nahin Hoon

Written and directed by Aditya Kripalani, Main Actor Nahin Hoon features Nawazuddin as Adnan Baig, a retired banker living in Frankfurt, and Chitrangada as Mouni, an aspiring actress in Mumbai. The film explores their relationship during an online audition, leading to profound emotional revelations.

The film premiered at the Cinequest Film Festival in March 2025 and has since garnered international acclaim. Nawazuddin won the Best Actor award at the 25th New York Indian Film Festival for his performance, while Aditya received the Best Director (Jury) prize at the DC South Asian Film Festival. Following its UK release, the film is set for an Indian theatrical release on May 8.