Nawazuddin Siddiqui is doing it again. He’s taking a genre we think we know—the high-stakes heist—and flipping it on its head. If you've been tracking the buzz around The Great Escape: Faraar, you know this isn't just another "run-and-gun" thriller. It feels different. Honestly, it’s about time. While 2025 gave us a glimpse of his range in the Maddock Horror Universe with Thamma, 2026 is shaping up to be the year where he reclaims the gritty, intellectual ground that made us fall in love with him in the first place.
The Physics Professor Turned Fugitive
Basically, the plot of this Nawazuddin Siddiqui new film sounds like a fever dream for anyone who loves a good "system vs. the little guy" story. He plays a physics professor. Not exactly the first person you’d call to rob a vault, right? But that’s the hook. Director Kushagra Sharma hasn’t cast him as a superhero. He’s a common man pushed to the absolute brink.
The film isn't just a local cat-and-mouse game either. It’s a global heist thriller that features Hollywood actor Ilia Volok as the primary antagonist. Think about that for a second. We’re getting a face-off between one of India’s most nuanced method actors and a veteran of Mission: Impossible.
That Money Heist Connection
You might have heard the music before you even saw a frame of the film. There is a very specific reason for that. Kushagra Sharma managed to pull in Ivan M. Lacámara—the composer who gave Money Heist its soul—to handle the background score.
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Lacámara is reportedly bringing that same "rebel spirit" to Faraar. He’s even composed a song for it. The idea is to mirror the vibe of Bella Ciao, but with a distinct Indian pulse. It’s a bold move. It tells you that the producers aren't just looking for a hit; they’re looking for a cult classic.
Beyond the Heist: Section 108 and Blind Babu
If you think he’s stopping at one film, you haven't been paying attention. Nawaz is notoriously prolific, but his 2026 slate feels more curated than usual. Take Section 108, for example.
In this one, he’s playing a shrewd lawyer. No, not the kind that gives long, heroic speeches in a clean courtroom. He’s the guy you hire when a billionaire goes missing and the insurance company is breathing down your neck. He stars alongside Regina Cassandra, and the word on the street is that the chemistry is surprisingly sharp. It’s a "legal thriller," but knowing Nawaz, there’s going to be a lot of moral gray area. He loves those "absurd and strange" characters. He’s said it himself in recent interviews: those are the only roles that still excite him after all these years.
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Then there’s Blind Babu. Details are still a bit thin on this one, but it’s currently listed as "under production" for a 2026 release. If the title is anything to go by, we’re probably looking at another intense character study.
Why We’re Still Obsessed With Nawaz
It’s kinda wild to think about, but Nawazuddin Siddiqui has been at this for over 25 years. He started with a blink-and-miss-it role in Sarfarosh (1999) and spent nearly 15 years as a "struggler" before Gangs of Wasseypur changed everything.
You’d think he’d be tired of the grind by now. Instead, he’s leaning into it. Last year’s Main Actor Nahi Hoon (I'm Not An Actor) saw him playing an acting coach via FaceTime. It was meta, experimental, and a bit weird. But that’s the point. He doesn't want to be a "star" in the traditional sense. He wants to be the guy who makes you feel slightly uncomfortable because his performance is too real.
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What to expect from his 2026 lineup:
- The Great Escape: Faraar: A heist movie that focuses on intellect and rebellion over explosions.
- Section 108: A courtroom drama where the law is just a suggestion.
- Blind Babu: Likely a transformative physical role that will dominate the awards circuit.
- Raat Akeli Hai: The Bansal Murders: His return as Inspector Jatil Yadav on Netflix, which recently dropped and is still dominating the trending charts.
The Reality of Being a Nawaz Fan in 2026
Let’s be real for a minute. Not every Nawazuddin Siddiqui new film is a massive box office hit. He’s even joked about it recently, saying "nobody turns up for my movies" when talking about the struggle of getting smaller films into theaters. But does that matter?
In the age of OTT, his reach is actually bigger than most "A-list" stars. When a film like Faraar drops, it’s not just for the Friday-Saturday-Sunday crowd in Mumbai. It’s for the global audience that wants to see if he can outsmart a Hollywood villain using nothing but a chalkboard and some physics equations.
The man is a shapeshifter. Whether he’s playing a vampire in the Maddock universe or a desperate professor, he brings a level of "honest" acting that is rare. He doesn't use a mask—or rather, he thinks we're all wearing masks in real life, and acting is the only time he gets to take his off.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you want to stay ahead of the curve on his 2026 releases, here is how you should play it. First, keep a close eye on Netflix. Since the successful release of Raat Akeli Hai: The Bansal Murders in late 2025, the platform has become a de facto home for his grittier work. Second, don't ignore the soundtrack for Faraar. With Ivan M. Lacámara involved, the music is going to be a major indicator of the film's tone before the first trailer even hits. Finally, watch for the film festival circuit announcements. Movies like Blind Babu often premiere at places like IFFI or MAMI before they hit the general public, and that’s where the real, unedited reviews will surface.