Siddharth Malhotra's latest interview with Filmfare

by | October 1, 2018, 5:13 PM IST

Siddharth Malhotra's latest interview with Filmfare

He's the outsider, who has managed to create a niche for himself. Despite having proved himself time and again, he finds himself giving a test with every release. This constant pressure would have come in the way of a lesser man but Sidharth Malhotra, believing in the adage that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, hasn't let the failures get to him. He has always played a suave, urban lover but with Jabariya Jodi, his latest, Sidharth is trying his hand at playing a small-town thug. Broad comedy hasn't been his forte but he's quite gung-ho about his new project. If successful, the venture would surely make his profile massier and give weightage to his repertoire. Over to the handsome hunk for some candid bytes...

You have played urban characters till now. What made you want to play a desi Bihari thug in Jabariya Jodi?
I loved the concept. Groom kidnapping is rampant in Bihar. About 300 cases were reported last year. The occurrence has been dealt with in a funny way in this love story. This is the first time that I'm playing a rustic character but in a romantic zone. My accent is also dehati as my character hails from the heartland of India. I don't shy away from experimenting. No two films of mine have been the same.

How do you view your journey so far?
Even though I had the best launch with Student Of The Year, it's been my solo journey. You have to understand things yourself, you make mistakes, you see the results... You're a culmination of all of that. Regardless of the box-office results, I've learnt so much. I've turned confident. I'm more focussed than ever before.

Please elaborate...
You have to trust your instincts. Someone may offer a film but eventually you've got to deliver. I'm the one facing the music. When it works, no one questions your choice. But when it doesn't go right, you're blamed for it. So if I am solely responsible for the good and the bad, why shouldn't I man up and take it all? This phase has been about holding my own. My recent choices reflect that. Hopefully, the results will be positive.

It's said the city changes you. Agree?
I believed I'm mature because I've been staying in Mumbai from the age of 22. I've been organising my rent, khana-peena, laundry, cleaning... There's an interesting saying which goes, Life is only 10 per cent of what really happens to you and 90 per cent is how you react to it. Whether it's a hit film or a film not doing well, an article in the media, a producer or an actor it's my reaction that decides my future. At times, my reaction was immature. But life taught me to be cautious. Also the fact that nothing is permanent. Initially, I used to get affected by both a hit and a flop. I've realised it's from Friday to Friday. My good Friday will not last forever. Nor will my bad one. It's just about moving forward from Friday to Friday.

Sidharth Malhotra

Do friendships also change with every Friday?
I look at everyone as colleagues working in a massive corporation called Bollywood. I don't have a personal connect like the way you have with family. Be it with actors, producers or anyone else. I met them as an actor. I didn't know them when I was an assistant, when I was struggling. My expectations from them are not much. That's why I don't feel attached to them or disheartened by them. That's something I became aware of early in life. Of course there are some associations, which I genuinely feel deeply about. They will live on. (Laughs) I don't want to name them because main daraar nahin lana chahta regarding the others.

So showbiz doesn't work only on relationships?
Not at all. Unless, you have blood relatives. For someone like me, who came to the industry in my 20s as a professional, it's purely based on your performance. If my films don't perform at the box-office, then it gets difficult.

Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan and you started your careers together. How do you view their journey?
Both are doing great work. People keep telling us that we should do a film together. But let's see. It's a matter of us getting the right script and a director like Karan Johar. Because only he can manage that. But now he's doing Takht. Everyone is busy with their own journeys.

Alia reportedly said that she will always consider you as a friend. Does the same apply to you?
Of course. We started our journey together, we have done two films. Varun, Alia and I have a deep connect. We've shared many emotions and experiences together. So the bond will always remain.

Sidharth Malhotra

Given your association with Karan Johar, can you ask him to direct a film for you?
I wish... But it's definitely not that easy. I'd have been in all of Karan Johar's movies otherwise. This is just a notion people have because I was launched by him. Dharma Productions gave me a career, for which I'm thankful. But my third film, Ek Villain, was a Balaji Productions' film. Now, Iím back with Balaji for Jabariya Jodi. Six months ago Karan read the script of Kargil martyr Vikram Batra's biopic, which I was keen on doing. He liked it and came on board.

How do you view love today?
While in college, love was just smiling at a girl and her smiling back at you. Then it was about going for parties and dinners and sneaking into her house because her parents wouldn't allow you to meet her. In Mumbai, love was hanging out with your girlfriend without moral policing. As an actor, it's now about how you're perceived in the media.
I wasn't used to this kind of attention on my personal life. I'm a private person. Love would now mean a relationship, which is authentic, regardless of my profession. It should have a sense of normalcy despite all the media attention. (Smiles) Oddly, my mother is pretty well- behaved. She doesn't ask me anything. She just said, Take your time, take it easy, there's no hurry to settle down. I guess, before I turn 40, I'll settle down. Let's see. I still have seven years.

Sidharth Malhotra

Recently, there were reports about you dating Kiara Advani. How do you deal with link-ups?
This used to surprise me when I joined the industry. It surprises me less now. There's now an understanding about how the media works, how you need to fill space, how some people give out stories and influence things a lot of things happen. I'm amused at the stories. I find them creative. But if a friendly gesture or meeting someone at a party and having a normal conversation is perceived differently, it adds pressure in your personal life.
I laugh it off because in the long run it doesn't matter. My performances alone add to my fan base. My fans will be happy whoever I choose to date or have a relationship with.

Your advice for beginners
Today there are many avenues to be recognised as an actor. You could get recognition in a small video on YouTube or in a film. It's only and only about your performance. Relationships can't get you anywhere. I've experienced it myself. You need to know what is your connect with the audience. Whether it's your appearance, your endearing nature or your intense performances, you need to keep working on your strengths. You can't take yourself for granted at any point. Anyone who comes from outside, will always feel like a struggler. That's how I still do. Every time I feel I'm back to those initial days, where I was trying to get in and sign a project.

Sidharth Malhotra

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