As actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui celebrated his 51st birthday yesterday, Tata Play’s streaming platform Tata Play Binge has put together a special watchlist featuring some of the actor’s most memorable performances that helped establish him as one of the finest talents in modern Hindi cinema. The curated list revisits films that not only shaped Nawazuddin’s journey in the industry but also reflected the rise of content-driven storytelling in Bollywood

According to a Tata Play Binge note, the birthday watchlist highlights the actor’s evolution from being rejected for conventional lead roles to becoming one of the most respected performers in the film industry. The platform has selected titles including ‘Gangs of Wasseypur 2’, ‘Kahaani’, ‘Paan Singh Tomar’, ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ and ‘Mom’ as part of the celebration.

The feature revisits Nawazuddin’s iconic portrayal of Faizal Khan in ‘Gangs of Wasseypur 2’, directed by Anurag Kashyap. The performance remains one of the actor’s most celebrated roles, with the dialogue “Sabka badla lega re tera Faizal” continuing to enjoy cult popularity among audiences even years after the film’s release. The film also starred Manoj Bajpayee, Richa Chadha and Huma Qureshi in key roles.

Another title in the list is ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’, where Nawazuddin played Pakistani journalist Chand Nawab alongside Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan. Directed by Kabir Khan, the film became one of Bollywood’s biggest emotional dramas and Nawazuddin’s understated performance earned widespread appreciation from viewers.

The list also includes ‘Paan Singh Tomar’, directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia, where Nawazuddin portrayed the transformation of a national athlete into an outlaw. The critically acclaimed film is still regarded as one of the strongest examples of realistic storytelling in Hindi cinema.

In ‘Kahaani’, directed by Sujoy Ghosh, Nawazuddin appeared alongside Vidya Balan in a suspense thriller that remains one of Bollywood’s most appreciated mystery dramas. His portrayal of intelligence officer Sidhant added another layer to the film’s gripping narrative.

The watchlist also revisits ‘Mom’, starring late actor Sridevi. Directed by Ravi Udyawar, the film featured Nawazuddin as private investigator Dayashankar, a role that stood out for its subtle humour and emotional depth despite limited screen time.