11 Years of Badlapur: Nawazuddin Siddiqui improvised key scenes as Liak; reveals he had no written dialogues 11 : Bollywood News

As Badlapur completes 11 years, conversations around the film’s performances and storytelling continue to resurface. Directed by Sriram Raghavan, the 2015 crime thriller remains one of the notable titles in contemporary Hindi cinema, particularly for its morally layered narrative and character-driven conflicts.

11 Years of Badlapur: Nawazuddin Siddiqui improvised key scenes as Liak; reveals he had no written dialogues

11 Years of Badlapur: Nawazuddin Siddiqui improvised key scenes as Liak; reveals he had no written dialoguesAmong its performances, Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s portrayal of Liak often draws renewed discussion. Interestingly, several of his scenes were not backed by written dialogues. Raghavan reportedly chose to withhold scripted lines in key moments, encouraging the actor to respond instinctively to situations. Nawazuddin shaped portions of the character through improvisation, allowing reactions and emotional shifts to emerge organically during filming. The approach added a certain unpredictability to Liak’s interactions, which audiences continue to recall years after the film’s release.

Reflecting on the challenges of the role, Nawazuddin had earlier shared, “Playing this role wasn’t easy because he wasn’t someone who openly expressed emotions. His transformation was happening internally, in a space that wasn’t visible to the audience. And since he wasn’t intellectually evolved, he couldn’t even put those changes into words.”

He further added, “Every time I performed a scene, director Sriram Raghavan reminded me that my character was a killer by chance. However, it was crucial to also show the subtle transformation he undergoes while staying true to his core nature as a scoundrel.”

Produced by Maddock Films and Eros International, Badlapur was based on the novel Death’s Dark Abyss by Italian writer Massimo Carlotto. The film also starred Varun Dhawan in a pivotal role, alongside Huma Qureshi, Yami Gautam, Vinay Pathak, Kumud Mishra, Divya Dutta and Radhika Apte.

Over time, the film has been regarded as a significant project in Varun Dhawan’s career as well, marking a departure from his earlier roles. Eleven years on, Badlapur continues to be revisited for its performances and narrative choices, with Nawazuddin’s improvised moments remaining a notable aspect of its making.

Also Read: 11 years of Badlapur: Sriram Raghavan on the challenges Varun Dhawan faced, “Varun had never suffered the kind of loss and hurt that the character goes through”