Nawazuddin Siddiqui ‘Stayed In Shady Hotel’, Isolated Himself To Prepare For Raman Raghav 2.0 Role

Today marks 10 years since the release of Raman Raghav 2.0, Anurag Kashyap’s psychological thriller that continues to be regarded as one of the most intense and unsettling films in modern Hindi cinema. Released in 2016, the film featured Nawazuddin Siddiqui in one of his most acclaimed performances as Raman, a serial killer whose disturbing mindset and unpredictable behaviour left a lasting impact on audiences. Over the years, the film has earned cult status for its gritty storytelling, haunting atmosphere, and powerful performances by Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Vicky Kaushal. At the heart of the film’s enduring legacy is Nawazuddin’s fearless portrayal of a man who kills without remorse, justification, or moral conflict.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui On His Prep For Ram Raghav 2.0 Role

Known for his ability to

disappear into complex characters, Nawazuddin went to extraordinary lengths to prepare for the role. Just days before filming began, the actor isolated himself in Lonavala in an attempt to fully immerse himself in the character’s psyche. Recalling the experience, he told Hindustan Times, “Three days before we went on the floors, I took the script of the film and went to Lonavala to get into the skin of the character. I stayed in a shady hotel in a deserted area. There weren’t many people around. I memorised all the dialogues, but I still wanted to add something special to the character. I kept asking myself, ‘How can I make it different?'”

For Nawazuddin, the challenge was not merely understanding a criminal but embracing the mindset of a man who saw murder as routine. Unlike conventional antagonists driven by revenge, greed, or ideology, Raman operated with a disturbing sense of honesty about who he was.

Explaining the character’s philosophy, the actor said, “The character had a philosophy, that while others kill in the name of society, religion, and so on, he kills for fun. For him, it was like a daily routine.”

That honesty proved to be the most difficult aspect of the role. Nawazuddin admitted that accepting the character’s worldview required intense mental preparation.

“He was very honest about who he was and what he does, and accepting that honesty was difficult for me as an actor. I had to convince myself for three days that, yes, I could do this,” he recalled.

A decade later, Raman Raghav 2.0 continues to be regarded as one of the finest psychological thrillers produced by the Hindi film industry, while Nawazuddin’s portrayal of Raman remains a benchmark in character immersion and screen acting. As the film celebrates ten years, the performance stands as a reminder of the dedication and risk-taking that have defined Nawazuddin’s remarkable career. The actor will next be seen in Tumbbad 2 and Thama 2, adding yet another exciting chapter to an already impressive filmography.