When Sidharth Malhotra was asked to identify his hometown with a particular memory, he speaks like a true Delhi-ite and goes for that one universally acknowledged, unparalleled signifier of the capital – chaat. “Growing up in Delhi, we really did have a lot of chaat– I can never forget Haldiram’s and their pavbhaaji and besan ke ladoo. Other favourites of mine used to be golgappas, raj kachori, aloo tikki and chanapuri. I miss the street food joints and the food culture in Delhi the most,” says the Delhi boy, adding that Mumbai is now his home away from home.
Model town
Sidharth became an actor after four years of modelling. When he first stepped into the film industry, did he ever have to deal with the models-are-dumb stereotype? He affirms that his own experience along with the way things are happening in the industry at the moment are proof enough that such notions are on the verge of obsoletion. “An actor is defined by his acting skills and screen presence above anything else now. We have had models who have gone on to not only become splendid actors but also huge international stars, cases in point being Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone. Everything comes down to your talent,” he avers.
Paradign shift
The actor also goes on to point out some changes he has noticed in the Indian film industry, based on his experience as an actor now and a member of the audience earlier. He shares, “Over the years, there has been an increased influence and awareness of international artistes and filmmakers on the young Indian audience. The content presented in Hollywood is easily accessible via the Internet now and as a consequence of this, I really think that there has been a paradigm shift in the content and the way movies are being made in Bollywood. The main reason for this is the change within the audience – people have become more demanding and more open to non-conventional genres. This also motivates us as actors to depict different characters,” he says.
Character building
Speaking of different characters, the young actor has traversed quite a range within the time he has been in the industry. Being the ever-charming good boy that he seems to be in person, are there any roles that have found him tapping into his darker side? “An aggressive streak within me during my preparation for Ek Villian was definitely something of a discovery,” he says. He goes on to add that his approach to roles that require something of him that does not manifest naturally is a mix of planning and spontaneity. “I feel that the most important thing for an actor is to be present on set physically and mentally. No matter what is happening in your personal or professional life, once the camera starts rolling you have to focus on the character you are playing in front of it,” he says and adds, “It is always an exciting experience to try out a role that is completely unlike who I am in life, and that is where my imagination comes into play.”
Travel bug
Sidharth admits that he also has a hunger for travelling. Talking about a recent trip to New Zealand, he shares, “That country is like a piece of heaven on earth. Every single activity I indulged in there was an experience of a lifetime.”
The actor tells us that he manages to make time for some wanderlust even during his busy shooting schedules.
