Salsa isn't the first thing you associate with Nawazuddin Siddiqui. But trying his hand at new things is a classic trait of the actor. So, while he is giving romantic stories a go with Tiku Weds Sheru, he has also picked up a move or two for a dance number in Kangana Ranaut's production. 'The choreographer made me do salsa and some more dance [styles]. The [team] gauged that I [understand] rhythm, so they made me practice before I faced the camera. They were more confident about my skills than I was,' laughs Siddiqui, who was recently nominated at the International Emmy Awards.

After lying low in 2021, the actor will be seen in several films in the coming year, including Heropanti 2, Jogira Sara Ra Ra and Bole Chudiyan. It is interesting to note how he is consciously choosing movies that are completely at odds with the dark films he is known for. Siddiqui says he is enjoying mainstream offerings like Heropanti 2, where he will be seen playing a billionaire. 'In mainstream films, I don't know why people always look at me through a different lens. In art films, people look at me as a common man, while commercial filmmakers make me look rich. It's all a matter of perception.' Not surprisingly, the actor is bringing his own quirk to the role in the Tiger Shroff-starrer. 'For the character of a billionaire, I tried to ape Vinod Khanna's walk. I personally adored his walking style. I had worked with him on a TV serial years ago, but unfortunately, it was never released. I tried to capture his [gait], while exaggerating it a little.'

He views mainstream projects mdash from romantic dramas to actioners mdash as his attempt to step out of his comfort zone. 'For me, even romantic films are an experiment because I have never done them before. In the midst of hardcore cinema, if I get to do a romantic film, I feel good as an actor.'