I want to be the highest paid actor: Nawazuddin Siddiqui

Siddiqui, who struggled for more than a decade to make a mark in the industry despite being critically appreciated for his work, does not understand why talent is not the criteria of good pay package in Bollywood.

"I want to be the highest paid actor in the industry. I don't understand why good actors don't get paid well. Actors should get paid according to their talent but they would hardly earn the money which would easily come to some people because of their background," Siddiqui told us.

It has been a long road to recognition for Siddiqui since his debut in Aamir Khan starrer 'Sarfarosh' in 1999.

The actor, who played memorable roles in films like 'Black Friday', 'Ek Chalis Ki Last Local', 'Dev D', 'Peepli Live' and 'Kahaani', says there were days when he wanted to quit everything.

"I have seen it all in the industry. There were days when I wanted to quit but did not know anything other than acting so I stayed. The struggle was long but there were good people around me like Aamir and Anurag, who believed in me and told me to stick around," says Siddiqui, who hails from Muzaffarnagar.

Now that recognition has come his way, the NSD graduate wants to focus on his craft.

"Camera is the only place where I am honest. I may lie in real life but not when I am facing a camera. The characters become me and sometimes it is hard to get out of that mode. I don't enjoy being the centre of attention. This is why I am a bit baffled by it. I hope it does not affect my acting," said Siddiqui.