Nawazuddin Siddiqui is one actor who has played some extremely diverse roles and he feels all actors should give different characters a shot.
In an interview with IANS, the Manto star said, "I think it's important for an actor to try out characters with different dimensions. I've done intense films but I have also done films like Freaky Ali and Lunchbox which were pretty light-hearted."
But speaking about the evolution of filmmaking in Bollywood, he believes there's still a long way to go. "It is not that parallel or content based films are a new thing in the industry. I don't think much has changed here. Even earlier, there were great films made by directors like Tapan Sinha and Gautam Ghose. I do not find any massive improvement in terms of film making in Bollywood. I think we still have a long way to go."
"Cinema is an art seen by thousands of people. It is not just for a niche audience. So films should have such a quality that it can be enjoyed by everyone. It should be all-encompassing," he adds stating that films are an "art for all".
Also read: Saif Ali Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui are coming together for this Netflix original
"We cannot blame the audience for not coming to the theatres. The makers should also think about the audience. In some cases, the filmmakers themselves do not see their films twice. How can they expect the audience to come and see it?
In Siddiqui's opinion, there are only two types of film: good or bad. "It's only in India that the films are assorted into different categories like parallel cinema or commercial cinema. I think in reality, films can be of only two types-- it is either a good film or a bad film. If it's a good film, it is appreciated by everyone, be it the intellectuals or the working class."
The actor who has won awards for his roles in Gangs of Wasseypur and Bajrangi Bhaijaan, believes that representation in Bollywood is important and hopes that aspiring actors see him as inspiration.
"I cannot claim it would be easier for new kids to get work in films because of what I have achieved. But certainly it should impart a certain amount of confidence among the average looking actors that if someone with the looks of Nawaz can thrive in the industry, so can we."
Nawazuddin Siddiqui will next be seen in a Netflix original series Sacred Games alongside Saif Ali Khan.