Home / Arts and Entertainment / Bollywood Star Nawaz Siddiqui Joins Indie Filmmaker Aditya Kripalani for Groundbreaking Cross-Cultural Collaboration
Bollywood Star Nawaz Siddiqui Joins Indie Filmmaker Aditya Kripalani for Groundbreaking Cross-Cultural Collaboration
31 Oct
Summary
- Nawaz Siddiqui and Aditya Kripalani's chance Instagram interaction led to their co-production of 'I'm Not An Actor'
- Siddiqui did not charge an acting fee to support Kripalani's indie film
- The film was shot simultaneously across India and Germany during the pandemic
In October 2025, Bollywood star Nawaz Siddiqui and indie filmmaker Aditya Kripalani's chance online interaction led to a unique cross-cultural collaboration on the film 'I'm Not An Actor'. Siddiqui, who has starred in major Bollywood hits like 'Thamma' and 'Gangs of Wasseypur', was intrigued when Kripalani commented on one of his Instagram posts about a song he had shared.
The two soon met and connected over their shared artistic sensibilities. Kripalani presented Siddiqui with several scripts, and the actor was drawn to the screenplay for 'I'm Not An Actor', a drama about a retired banker in Frankfurt who connects with a struggling Mumbai actress through virtual acting lessons. Siddiqui, known for his versatility, was eager to take on the challenge of playing a non-actor.
Remarkably, Siddiqui did not charge an acting fee for the production, stating his desire to support good independent cinema. The film was shot live across India and Germany simultaneously for 28 days, with Kripalani and Siddiqui in Germany, and another crew in India.
'I'm Not An Actor' had its world premiere at the Cinequest Film Festival in late 2025 and is now set for a UK theatrical release on November 7th. Kripalani and Siddiqui's unique collaboration has resulted in a poignant, often comedic exploration of cultural divides and personal struggles in the digital age.
