New Delhi:
Nine years ago, the critically acclaimed biopic Manjhi: Mountain man was released and vividly portrays the remarkable story of Dashrath Manjhi played by Nawazuddin Siddiqui. Directed by Ketan Mehta, the film tells the story of a man who, driven by unyielding determination, spent more than two decades carving a path through a mountain with a hammer and chisel to improve the lives of the people in his village after a tragic event. the loss of his wife. Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s performance of Dashrath Manjhi is widely regarded as a standout performance that captures the essence of Manjhi’s perseverance and dedication.
In an old interview around the time of the film’s release, Siddiqui shared his thoughts on his career and the challenges he faced portraying the legendary character. Reflecting on his journey, he remarked, “Even though I was an average-looking 5ft 6in guy, I was determined to make it on my own in Bollywood. So that desire, the desire was there.”
Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s commitment to the role was evident in his approach to the character. Elaborating on the complexity of immersing herself in such a demanding role, she added, “It takes a certain kind of insanity to do the same job for over 22 years. It was definitely difficult to get into the skin of a character like that. I have portrayed three different phases of the same character’s life in the film. I had some YouTube videos for reference , and we also visited Dashrath Manjhi’s village where we met his son and daughter-in-law and other people.”
As ‘Manjhi: The Mountain Man’ celebrates its 9th anniversary, the impact of the film remains strong, as ‘Shaandar, Zabardast, Zindabad’ encapsulates the spirit of Dashrath Manjhi’s extraordinary journey and Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s powerful portrayal.
