Nawazuddin Siddiqui Brings a Different Gravity to His Roles Says Shivani Raghuvanshi

Shivani Raghuvanshi, who shared screen space with Nawazuddin Siddiqui in Netflix’s Raat Akeli Hai, has opened up about the actor’s distinctive approach to his craft. Reflecting on her experience of working with him, Shivani praised his ability to immerse himself in a character and bring a certain gravity to his performance. She also spoke about how working alongside actors with different processes can broaden one’s understanding of acting, emphasising that there is no single formula for delivering a compelling performance.

Speaking about Nawazuddin’s process, Shivani said, “Nawaz Sir's process is very different. He is very serious; he really immerses himself in the role and maintains a certain gravity, largely because he comes from a theatre background. It made me realize that there isn't just one way to inhabit a character. Ultimately, what matters is what you deliver, how well the audience connects with your character, and what you achieve in the final take. Whether you are laughing or crying while doing it doesn't really make a difference.” Her observations highlight how actors can approach their roles differently while working towards the same goal of making their characters believable and emotionally engaging.

Shivani’s comments also offer a glimpse into her own understanding of the craft, where the final performance matters more than the process behind it. While some actors may immerse themselves deeply in the emotional world of a character, others may approach a scene in a completely different way. For Shivani, the experience reinforced the idea that acting cannot be confined to one particular method. What ultimately counts is whether the performance resonates with viewers and serves the story.

The actor also opened up about the insecurities that performers deal with, pointing out that these feelings are not limited to the entertainment industry. According to Shivani, actors are individuals with different personal experiences, and their insecurities can vary significantly. She explained, “There can be all kinds of insecurities. I mean, actors are human beings too, and every individual has their own unique set of insecurities. I’m sure these stem from personal experiences. For instance, if I struggle with a need for validation—well, I can't simply generalize and say, ‘This is the specific insecurity that actors have.’ I don't think it works that way.”

Elaborating on how personal insecurities can influence an actor’s professional life, Shivani added that these feelings may find their way onto a film set and affect how someone works. “If someone is insecure about their weight, for example, that will eventually translate into their work. Or, if someone craves validation, they might bring that insecurity onto the set—constantly needing praise. So, I can't say there is just one specific type of insecurity common to all actors; it varies from person to person—just like how your insecurities differ from your sister's. It’s exactly the same thing.” Her perspective underlines how individual vulnerabilities can shape behaviour and experiences, even in a profession where performers are often expected to appear confident in front of the camera.

Shivani has steadily built a reputation for her nuanced performances across films and web series, including Titli, Made in Heaven, Devi, Murder in Mahim, Zindaginama and Dupahiya. She is currently enjoying the success of Dupahiya Season 2, adding another chapter to a career marked by varied roles and grounded portrayals. Through her reflections on Nawazuddin’s acting process and the insecurities performers face, Shivani offers an honest look at the different approaches, personal experiences and emotional challenges that shape an actor’s journey.

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