INTERVIEW

Sidhaarth Malhotra 19

I was an “ outsider in

Bollywood too! Sidharth Malhotra talks to Rishira Ganguly about being an outsider in films, how he evolved as an actor and his other projects. ” You have been groomed as a Wow! Well, that’s tough to summarise in Dharma Production boy and from a few lines but, yes I’ve evolved quite a there, you went on to make a bit. I was groomed by Dharma for Student name for yourself in the indusOf The Year. I was supposed to play the try. So what exactly went into outsider, a small-town boy in it and I was the making of Siddharth Malhomore or less that – an outsider with no tra, the movie star? contacts in the film industry so I guess I gelled well with my character. That’ because I was an outsider too! In Jabariya Jodi, I played a small-town boy with a Bihari accent so I guess I have come a full circle, playing different avatars with far more blend and far more colour. I have learnt a lot, made a few mistakes but still, I’m here and raring to go.

Sidhaarth Malhotra 20

How has the journey been in Bollywood?

Over the years, I have learned the ropes gradually. Way before I became a actor, I started as an assistant director and that’s when I learnt the technicalities of film making. Now as an actor, I keep learning with every film. I have explored a new character with every film of mine. In fact, no two films of mine or two characters of mine are similar. So yeah… I am genuinely happy about my journey.

How do you choose your films? Is it the script or do you focus on your character?

It’s everything… film, director, banner, producer, script, character. For instance, I chose Jabariya Jodi because of the character first of all, the story, the setting… it was definitely something that I haven’t done before. I found that so exciting that I had to be a part of this story! Likewise, none of my films have been the same – if the script and my character excites me, I do the film and that has been my conscious decision.

Do you consciously try to be different?

I have always tried different things in every film. In fact, I ty to reinvent myself with every film… some times, it works, other times I just try harder.

You have worked with Parineeti Chopra in Hasee toh Phasee and Jabariya Jodi and you seem to share an easy bond. Tell us something about your equation with her.

Its lovely to work with Pari after Hasee toh Phasee after many years. People really loved our film Hasee toh Phasee. It was my second film, Pari’s I think, third film, and definitely, we have grown as actors, as individuals, as personalities but yet, we still have that comfort with each other and with comfort, comes a lot of ease, whether its knowing each other’s habits or ways of functioning. With Pari, it’s always a fun ride! Our Punjabiyat comes out though she speaks much better Punjabi than me. I have lost practice over the years (laughs) and she helps me with it… Most of the times I go to her for Punjabi advice. I think both of us enjoy exploring a new zone and on the way, have a lot of fun.

How much has your personal life influenced you to take up scripts?

There is nothing of that sort. I believe that your personal life gives you material to add to your performance and characters on screen but does not really influence your choices.

I have learnt a lot, made a “ few mistakes but still,

I’m here and raring to go.

With Pari, “ it’s always a fun ride!

Bollywood seems to be seeping into the digital segment a lot nowadays with Netflix, Amazon Prime Originals and other OTT platforms. Any plans of diving into the digital segment?

I have no plans of getting into Netflix or Amazon right now. I’m very happy with the films that I am doing right now with my line up of movies whether its Jabariya Jodi, whether it’s Marjawaan, whether its Shershah and so on. I’m getting to play wonderful characters onscreen and will be entertaining people for many, more films, the digital platform can wait.

Tell us about your projects.

My line up after Jabariya Jodi is Marjawaan, which is Milap Zaveri’s directorial film. It’s me and Ritesh (Deshmukh) coming back after Ek Villain. It got Tara Sutaria, Rakul Preet…. It’s a very interesting ensemble. It’s a love story… it’s an action (slash) love story, as you would call it. It has got a lot of emotion onto it but again, action or a character that I haven’t done before so its completely keeping the masses in mind. I thoroughly enjoyed my time working with it. I knew Milap from before and (have) obviously worked with Ritesh in the past so it was a wonderful experience and after that I go into Shershaa which is Captain Vikram Batra’s biopic and life story and I am in the midst of shooting (for) that. It’s got Kiara Advani in the female lead. 22