‘Actor’ Nawazuddin Siddiqui teams up with his ‘director’ brother

Nawazuddin Siddiqui teams up with brother, Shamas Nawab Siddiqui again, but this time, as a director, for a couple of ad films.

Last year, Nawazuddin Siddiqui produced his younger brother, Shamas Nawab Siddiqui’s debut short film, Miyan Kal Aana. It went on to win multiple international awards, and a special screening of the short film was held at the Cannes Film Festival.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui produced his brother, Shamas Nawab Siddiqui’s short film last year. (HT Photo)

Now, HT has learnt that Nawazuddin has teamed up with Shamas again, but this time, as a director, for a couple of ad films. “The opportunity came when a Delhi-based e-commerce firm signed Nawaz as the brand ambassador and wanted Shamas to direct his brother,” says an insider.

Shamas Nawab Siddiqui’s Miyan Kal Aana was screened at Cannes Film Festival.

Although Shamas was a “bit scared initially” to direct such an “accomplished actor”, he decided to “take up the challenge.” “The ad films were shot within two days. The concept for both films was written by Shamas, which Nawaz immediately liked,” adds the insider. Apparently, north India has been kept as the backdrop for the both the ad films’ storylines. “The ad films were shot in a Mumbai suburb,” says the insider.

When contacted, Shamas says, “On the day of the shoot, I was a bit scared to direct my brother, who has a great reputation as an actor. I started off my work way before I called him for the shot. The idea was to immerse myself completely into work before he reached the set.” But Shamas admits that his brother, like with other directors, made things “very easy” for him. “I gave him a lot of freedom and he improvised fantastically, which has only added to the end result,” he says.