The son of an industrialist opts to become a movie actor. So, he steps out of his plush comfort zone and prepares himself for rejection and ridicule. Sidhartha Mallya’s persistence has paid off.
In his debut flick, Brahman Naman, which releases on Friday, he plays the good-looking antagonist Ronnie, who is a rival of the lead character, Naman.
Ronnie is a cricketer, who attracts girls easily, much to Naman’s dismay. Is this an extension of his real life persona? “Not at all. Remember the movie is set in the ’80s. But it’s a decent supporting role,” he says.
Why would Vijay Mallya’s son opt for a small part, when he can easily fund a lavish launch? “I believe it is important to do a supporting role and work your way up as opposed to being launched as a lead star, like it happens in Bollywood,” reasons Sid, in a telephonic interview from London.
Sid’s journey into the fascinating but unstable celluloid world began three years back. He left his dad’s business and relocated to LA to pursue his dream career.
“I realised that I was not cut out for a corporate role, where I sit on my chair for eight hours and make decisions. I always wanted to act and have participated in plays in my school days,” he says.
Sid enrolled himself for a master’s programme at the prestigious Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London. He shares his alma mater with icons like Laurence Olivier and Judy Dench amongst others
The 28-year-old confesses that contrary to expectations, his journey so far has not been a cakewalk. “In America, the surname Mallya doesn’t ring a bell. Maybe in London, people may know me better. So it may open a few doors as people may have seen my pictures and feel I suit a certain part. So they call me for an audition. But that doesn’t really matter. I have gone through my share of struggles, going for audition after audition and getting
rejected,” he adds.
Unlike the general perception, of a rich, spoilt brat, Sid insists he has had a normal upbringing. “I was sent to a boarding school at the age of 10 and things were never given to me on a platter. Unlike in India, where people in their 50s live with their parents, I’m used to living on my own and handling my life,” says Sid, who has even done a small role in The Home-coming. “I got to act opposite Lauren Bowles I was just happy to share screen space with her.”
