Sidharth Malhotra: I’m grateful I don’t come from a film family

It’s been months since Sidharth Malhotra and I have met, but the moment we did, I sense nothing has changed. Unlike everything that’s being written about, the actor is busy preparing for his next film (which was previously called Shotgun Shaadi). In between his script-reading sessions, he chats with After Hrs. In a candid interview, he talks about his career choices, his films not having a successful run at the cinemas and why the negativity hasn’t deterred him.

A few of your films haven’t worked and a lot has been written about you...

(Smiles) There are various aspects to it. For me, cinema is all about experimenting. I haven’t shied away from that. If you see, no two projects of mine are the same — they have had different stories, characters and that’s how an actor can grow. The movie doing well or not is something that’s beyond my control. Some of my films have worked in the past while some haven’t. But I’ll still push and explore myself. Now, I’ve enough experience to be more precise and know exactly what I want out of a movie.

Does all the negativity bother you?

No. Initially, it was difficult for me to understand why people would write something with such negative connotations. I also realised that it changes each Friday, so I don’t feel like wasting my energy by replying to them. My next Friday will answer everybody’s questions. Nothing succeeds like success. It would be immature if I kept clarifying everything that’s written about me. It doesn’t make me insecure. 

Have your equations within the industry changed?

Definitely. In my case, associations and equations are built purely on work. I don’t know anybody here from Adam or by blood. Here, people are just my colleagues. Some of them are closer to me while others aren’t. No offence to the people I’ve met — they are extremely nice human beings — but no matter how you package it, eventually you end up having merely professional relationships. You work together, get along well and become like a family for a few months; but then it fizzles out. Sometimes, it doesn’t when you are doing multiple films with an actor, that time the bond becomes stronger. 

However, I don’t let such things affect me too much. I’ve had amicable relationships with all my co-stars — both heroes and heroines. But that’s because I don’t have too many expectations from them.

Does that mean you are not a very emotional person?

I’m not saying I’m not emotional at all. It’s how you approach things. I can be extremely sentimental about my family and close friends. I like to have people around. I grew up in a joint family where I had my uncles, my grandparents and cousins staying with us. So maybe, I’m needy of that environment at times. 

In Mumbai, my friends fill up that void. When there are five of them at my place or some come down from Delhi, it’s comforting. My family members also keep coming here. I’ve had a happy and normal upbringing, so I’m a sensitive human being. I come from a middle-class family. So, some values that I’ve got in my childhood are an asset when it comes to dealing with people and things. In many ways, I’m grateful I don’t come from a film family.

Now, when things aren’t going your way, do you still have the same drive and ambition that you had in your initial years?

Absolutely. When I came to Mumbai, I was selected to be a hero in an Anubhav Sinha film. I spent six-seven months, but it never happened. The accommodation that they gave me was taken away from me. So, I had to stay with a friend. Then, I tried my hand at modelling. I’d only do ramp walks for pocket money. I didn’t know where all those things would lead me to, but I was just taking one step at a time. I did a few shoots for some brands and then I stumbled upon assistant direction where I felt it was just the best opportunity for someone like me, who didn’t have the resources to go to a film school. It’s one of the best decisions I have made. I went purely as an employee, not knowing I’d be launched by that production house. From there, things just took off and now when I’m at a juncture where things aren’t going my way, that drive of my initial years is keeping me alive and happy. I have the fire in my belly, which I guess I had only when things weren’t working out for me. When you come from nothing and have only gained, you have that confidence that somehow, things will fall in place.

Do you feel people are taking you for granted because you don’t retort?

That depends on what people would want to perceive. Some of them are immature to take my silence as weakness, whereas others are wise enough to know that right now, silence is my best friend. It’s a creative field and you can like or not like somebody’s work. That’s fine and that is displayed in the business on a Friday itself. To drag it on for months and write off someone’s career is just so negative. Please don’t make the mistake of thinking that I’m not listening. I’m definitely aware of what’s being written about me. It’s just that I choose not to speak, my films should speak louder. I’ll come back with a bang.

You have already signed two films but surprisingly, no official announcements have been made?

We will soon announce this Balaji film with Parineeti Chopra, which will go on the floors in Lucknow in August. It’s a love story based on the concept of pakadwa vivah which is groom kidnapping. We’ve given it an interesting spin and made it funnier. It’s a completely new space for me as I’m going back to that Hindi belt from where I hail. At heart, I’m still a small-town boy (smiles). Delhi isn’t a town, but it’s still more rooted than Mumbai. After that, there’s the Vikram Batra biopic, which is quite challenging. I’m excited and driven to portray his legacy. I don’t know if we can imagine how it was to fight for the country at the border. It’s not a frivolous movie because it’s based on a person who gave up his life for us. It will be a tough task to portray the film’s essence on screen. There’s a lot of anxiousness and excitement. It’s my toughest role till date and I’m excited to start my prep with director Vishnu Vardhan.