There are Holi stories and then there are stories that sound straight out of a film. Nawazuddin Siddiqui recently shared one such memory from his struggling days at the National School of Drama, and it’s equal parts wild, funny, and deeply telling of who he is as an actor. Back then, Nawazuddin was just another student trying to find his footing in the world of theatre. Holi celebrations at NSD were always vibrant full of colors, music, laughter, and of course, bhaang. Like many others, he joined in the festive spirit. But what happened next wasn’t just a festive high it turned into a full-blown acting episode.
As he recalls it, something shifted after he consumed bhaang. Instead of just enjoying the celebration, he felt himself slipping into a character Ashwatthama from the Mahabharata. And not in a casual, playful way. Nawazuddin says he became Ashwatthama.
For nearly five hours, he performed nonstop. No script, no stage, no audience in the traditional sense just him, completely immersed in the character. He wasn’t aware of time passing, nor did he feel like he was acting. It felt real. Raw. Almost uncontrollable.
Looking back, he laughs about it now, but there’s something deeper hidden in that memory. Even in a moment of abandon, his instinct was to perform, to transform, to tell a story. That kind of connection with acting doesn’t come overnight it’s something that lives within.
What makes this anecdote so special is how human it feels. It’s not about stardom or success. It’s about a young artist, lost in a moment, discovering just how far he can go when he lets himself be free. And maybe that’s what NSD does it breaks your boundaries, pushes you beyond comfort, and lets you explore your craft in the most unexpected ways.
Today, Nawazuddin Siddiqui is known for his intense, layered performances. But stories like this remind us that his journey wasn’t just built on discipline it was also shaped by moments of chaos, passion, and complete surrender to the art. Because sometimes, the most unforgettable performances aren’t planned they just happen.
