He was born in Budhana, Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, into a farming family and is one of nine siblings.
Before acting, he studied Chemistry at Gurukul Kangri University and briefly worked as a chemist.
He graduated from the National School of Drama (NSD) in Delhi in 1996.
Nawazuddin struggled for years in Mumbai, working as a watchman while auditioning for roles.
His first on-screen appearance was a waiter in the film Shool (1999).
He played small, unnoticed roles in films like Sarfarosh, Munnabhai MBBS, and New York before his breakthrough.
He faced repeated rejections due to his dark complexion, but persevered until Gangs of Wasseypur (2012) made him a household name.Nawazuddin is known for his method acting, often immersing himself completely into his characters.
Despite global fame, he remains deeply connected to his village roots and often visits Budhana.