A Superstar In Action | Sidharth Malhotra (Interview Part II)
Taking off from the previous part of our exciting chat, here's Part II of our interaction with the Sundar, Susheel and Risky - Sidharth Malhotra. Excerpts from the conversation:
Has there been a conscious effort to experiment with the genres of your films?
Absolutely! Because I feel it's important to change trends of the past. Purane zamane mein actors would do one kind of role or maybe even look the same. But now, the trend is different. And I feel Mr Aamir Khan is the only one who truly does it. So, I am trying to do my version, where I find interesting stories. Also, once your initial fear dies down, while becoming a little more secured with your job, then you start enjoying the work that you do. All the scripts that I have and the films that I have started working are stuff that I love. Be it A Gentleman, Ittefaq or Aiyaary; it's a large variety for an actor and I am working with some great directors.
Looking at the fate of Bollywood films in 2017 so far, as an artist, what do you think went wrong?
I truly feel, from whatever experience I have, that we have a dearth of writers. The ones who only write and don't have multiple tasks to handle or look after. These days, you will mostly find writers who have become directors or a directors who are writers themselves. And I feel writers need to be paid well. They should be employed by agencies, production houses. Here, their main goal should be to create new stories, dialogues, research, work on new ideas among others and give us quality scripts, whether for television, web series or the big screen. Today, the audience is ready to reject anything that is sub standard.
Has there been a conscious effort to experiment with the genres of your films?
Absolutely! Because I feel it's important to change trends of the past. Purane zamane mein actors would do one kind of role or maybe even look the same. But now, the trend is different. And I feel Mr Aamir Khan is the only one who truly does it. So, I am trying to do my version, where I find interesting stories. Also, once your initial fear dies down, while becoming a little more secured with your job, then you start enjoying the work that you do. All the scripts that I have and the films that I have started working are stuff that I love. Be it A Gentleman, Ittefaq or Aiyaary; it's a large variety for an actor and I am working with some great directors.
Looking at the fate of Bollywood films in 2017 so far, as an artist, what do you think went wrong?
I truly feel, from whatever experience I have, that we have a dearth of writers. The ones who only write and don't have multiple tasks to handle or look after. These days, you will mostly find writers who have become directors or a directors who are writers themselves. And I feel writers need to be paid well. They should be employed by agencies, production houses. Here, their main goal should be to create new stories, dialogues, research, work on new ideas among others and give us quality scripts, whether for television, web series or the big screen. Today, the audience is ready to reject anything that is sub standard.
Once your initial fear dies down, while becoming a little more secured with your job, then you start enjoying the work that you do
You have got an interesting line up, with three films - A Gentleman, Ittefaq and Aiyaary, that belong to completely different genres. What's the process like for you while working on such diverse films, especially when there are physical changes involved? Does it ever take a toll?
I think, that's what keeps me going. It's an exciting process. The personality that I am, I would get bored doing ek hi kisam ke role or looking the same in every film. So, I thrive on experiments. If I have to do a film like A Gentleman, I will go in for a new look, with a different hairstyle, some body tattoos and even physically, maybe beefing up a bit. For Ittefaq, I have to be much softer. Again, change the look and physicality. See, if you pull off it nicely, and the audience accepts it once the film is released, it feels really good! For e.g If I have to look back in the past, Ek Villain had me playing an aggressive, intense person. Then, I played a really soft, regular ghar ka ladka in Kapoor & Sons. And the kind of love I got for both these completely different roles was so nice. I am hoping this continues in the future.
You are among the select few successful actors, who has come a long way, with a massive fan following and several good projects in your kitty; all this despite no filmy connection. Does that give you some sense of satisfaction as an artist?
Definitely! Whenever I look back at my journey, it does give me a sense of gratitude and confidence. I have gone through a very odd journey. Those days, I was struggling without a job, shifting houses and today, I have got a film ready for release. I feel, ek kisam ka woh fear nikal jaata hain. Because I started from the bottom, and if by any chance I don't perform well in the future, I will still be miles ahead of what I was when I started off.
Those days, I was struggling without a job, shifting houses and today, I have got a film ready for release
What has been your biggest takeaway from the films that you have done so far?
Oh! Lots (smiles). Just the sheer magnitude of the number of people working on Student of the Year was so amazing. Getting a platform like that and working with Karan Johar, achieving the kind of stardom that we did. We would end up meeting so many people from the industry during promotions, events. While the other two knew most of them, I would just go 'Hello sir' and smile. Then, I moved on to Hasee toh Phasee, which brought me to the pure performance zone. Ek Villain had the challenge of portraying a different personality in the action space. Brothers had its own set of challenges, be it the physicality or matching up to a senior actor. I got to learn a lot from Akshay (Kumar) and we have a great relationship even today. I absolutely love him as a person and co-star. Kapoor & Sons gave me the opportunity to work with some really good artists. Baar Baar Dekho had me ageing through the film, and I took that challenge, even though the film wasn't accepted the way I wanted it to be. And now, there's A Gentleman. So, I am proud of the fact that I haven't repeated myself.
I got to learn a lot from Akshay (Kumar) and we have a great relationship even today. I absolutely love him as a person and co-star
Fan Question
Hey Yasmin. The entire soundtrack of the film is really good. But, Bandook Meri Laila is my favourite, and I really hope the audience likes it too.
You have inspired several fans and fitness enthusiasts with your SidFit series of videos and posts. What's your current fitness routine for Aiyaary like?
During the London schedule, I started working out with a trainer. I began working out with a new technology, which I also have at home. It's called EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation). It's a jacket that you wear and you have to resist electricity, while doing your workout. It's actually comparatively healthier, as you don't hurt your joins while lifting weights. It's just water resistance. So, I was doing that. Not just specifically for Aiyaary, but also my overall fitness. And, I guess it helps, as I look fit (smiles). You know, I am gonna tell him (director) to add a body shot (laughs). Let's see if Neeraj (Pandey) sir agrees (smiles).
Are you excited to watch A Gentleman this weekend? Let us know your thoughts.
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