After his scandalous autobiography which he had to pulp after lawsuit threats, and another police case regarding call data records, it is good to see the very gifted Nawazuddin Siddiqui making news for the right reasons!

He has been raking in the applause for his effortless portrayal of controversial author and playwright Saadat Hassan Manto. The Nandita Das-directed biopic Manto was screened in the Un Certain Regard category at Cannes and generated considerable buzz. Nawaz then plunged into another biopic, in which he essays the role of Shiv Sena supremo, Balasaheb Thackeray. Directed by Abhijit Panse, the film is a full-fledged commercial drama, which will be shot at approximately 108 locations, including the Lucknow Court that Thackeray visited during the Babri Masjid demolition hearing.

RECOMMENDED READ: MANTO TEASER: NAWAZUDDIN PLAYS THE REBEL WRITER WITH HIS TRADEMARK INTENSITY

Now Nawaz has greenlighted his next already, which will be helmed by Honey Trehan. Honey, who started out as a casting director, has assisted Vishal Bhardwaj on Maqbool, Omkara, Kaminey and 7 Khoon Maaf. It is learnt that Honey has been working on the script for some time. The film is touted to be a crime-thriller set in the interiors of India.

Apparently, the script has met with Nawaz’s approval but while he has informally given his assent, he is yet to formally ink the project. Work on the preproduction of the film is on and the search is also on for a suitable leading lady. Nawaz will begin prepping before the film rolls early next year.

Incidentally, Honey had been set to make his directorial debut with a project that was inspired by the story Femme Fatale from Hussain Zaidi’s book, Mafia Queens of Mumbai. However, it was later decided that Vishal Bhardwaj himself would direct this Deepika Padukone and Irrfan Khan-starrer. At the time Honey had stated, “Owing to differences in creative understanding, we have mutually and amicably decided that it would be best for our film if Vishal sir took over as director.” The film has been stalled following Irrfan’s illness.

Getting back to Nawaz, he will also be seen in Ritesh Batra’s Photograph, for which he recently completed dubbing.