Nawazuddin Siddiqui recalls wild bhaang experience at NSD during Holi: ‘Became Ashwatthama, performed nonstop for five hours’

Long before he was a household name, 'Tumbbad 2' actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui was just another student at the National School of Drama (NSD) trying to survive the institute's legendary Holi celebrations. On May 2, 2026, the actor shared a hilarious and surreal trip down memory lane, recalling a time when a glass of thandai turned him into a mythological warrior.Talking to Radio Nasha Official, Nawazuddin Siddiqui described the traditional preparations that happen during Holi at NSD. He spoke about how thandai is prepared and shared among students.Recalling the moment, Siddiwui said, “There’s a tradition at NSD on Holi, experts gather to prepare thandai. The first time I had it, they kept pouring it into my mouth, and I just kept drinking. Initially, I felt nothing. After about an hour, they urged me to have more, and I did. That’s when I became Ashwatthama. I started imagining I had a bow and arrow climbing trees, jumping on walls, and performing nonstop for nearly five hours.” The experience quickly escalated from playful to intense. The actor found himself fully immersed in the effects of the drink.The episode did not end with that energetic phase. The effects of bhaang stayed with him for several more hours. During this time, his thoughts took an unusual turn. He believed that stepping outside a circle he had drawn would affect his future. In his mind, crossing that boundary could end his chances in cinema. This belief added another strange dimension to the already bizarre experience.On the professional front, Nawazuddin Siddiqui is part of the upcoming sequel to Tumbbad. The new film, titled 'Tumbbad 2', continues the haunting world introduced earlier. The project will see Sohum Shah return to reprise his role. Nawazuddin joins the cast.The makers have confirmed that the film will release in theatres on December 3, 2027. A tagline written in Devanagari reads, ‘Pralay aayega (Apocalypse will arrive).’