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Before rising to fame in Bollywood, Nawazuddin Siddiqui faced his share of struggles, one of which was a disappointing experience with Kamal Haasan’s Hey Ram. While working as an assistant director on the film, Nawaz was also given a small but significant role. However, just before the film’s premiere, he received shocking news- his scene had been cut out from the final version.
During the appearance on The Kapil Sharma Show, Nawaz recalled the moment, saying, “It’s premiere was held at Film City in Mumbai and I took at least 5-6 of my friends. I told them, ‘Boss Hey Ram aarahi hai, Maine kaam kia hai usmein (I have worked in that film).’ Everyone came. Before the film began, Kamal Haasan sahab came to me and said, ‘Nawaz, apne doston ko bol do ki tumhara role cut gaya hai (Tell your friends your role has been cut).” Feeling heartbroken, Nawaz responded, “Sir meri bahut bezzati hojaege.”
Nawaz had invited several of his friends, who were eager to watch him on the big screen alongside his idol. However, hearing the disappointing news just before the screening left him in tears. The actor recalled, “I went to my friends and I started crying and I told my friends that my role had been cut. I gave them the choice to watch the film or not but they wanted to watch it.”
Despite the setback, Nawazuddin Siddiqui went on to make a name for himself as one of the finest actors in the industry, proving that persistence and hard work can eventually lead to success.
Set in the backdrop of West Bengal’s partition, Hey Ram was released on February 16, 2000. The period-drama featured an ensemble star cast including Kamal Hassan, Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, Hema Malini, Girish Karnad, Naseeruddin Shah, Atul Kulkarni and Farida Jalal.
Made in a production budget of approximately Rs 11 crore, Hey Ram grossed around Rs 11.3 crore worldwide, which includes Rs 8.91 crore earnings from India. Despite its critical acclaim and winning three National Awards, the Kamal Hassan directorial did not achieve much commercial success at the box office.
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