Recently, Kabir Khan shared a poignant moment from the set of his 2009 film ‘New York’. He recounted how Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s performance in a particularly intense scene left Irrfan Khan deeply moved. Nawazuddin delivered a gripping 3-4 minute uninterrupted take that profoundly affected everyone on set. The scene was so powerful that it elicited tears from some crew members and applause from others. Irrfan Khan, visibly shaken, later approached Nawazuddin and hugged him, overwhelmed by the emotional weight of his performance.
In an interaction with ‘Humans of Bombay’, Kabir Khan detailed why Nawazuddin’s performance had such a profound impact. He explained that Nawazuddin’s portrayal was incredibly raw and real, encapsulating the character’s torment and despair with striking authenticity. Kabir said..
It’s a non-stop 3-4 minute take, and I never did another take because when I said cut, some of the people in the crew were crying, and some of them were clapping. I remember Irrfan walking in half an hour later, and he said everyone’s talking about Nawaz’s performance.
Nawazuddin’s ability to convey such deep emotions in a single take was a testament to his remarkable talent and method acting skills. The scene not only highlighted his exceptional acting prowess but also captured the essence of the character’s trauma in a way that felt both real and intense. This emotional depth is what made the performance so impactful bringing out a deeply emotional reaction from Irrfan Khan, illustrating the profound effect of genuine, heartfelt acting.