Sidharth Malhotra: ‘I won’t drop my underwear on screen, unless...’

Sidharth Malhotra is visibly happy.  His last movie outing, Ittefaq, made its mark. He has an interesting line-up of films — there’s Neeraj Pandey’s Aiyaary, and the slain martyr, Vikram Batra’s biopic right after. Here, Sidharth talks about the parameters on the basis of which he signs a film. He explains why box office isn’t the be-all-and-end-all of things.  Interestingly, he also tells us why he won’t drop his pants on screen.  

What is more important to you — to have a huge film do good business or a small film that gives a better return on investment (ROI)?

I would like to have a mix of both. In that aspect, recently, what I just needed was to push myself as an actor, do a character which is difficult to convince people, surprise the audience and get that appreciation back. Ittefaq happened at the right time because I never chose that film for commercial reasons. It was meant to be a smaller film, with no song and dance, no lavish locations or costumes. I didn’t even play the hero. I chose it because I got to play a different shade in the film. After Ek Villain, I liked the intensity of this film. As an actor, it’s great and satisfying. It wasn’t a safe bet, but now that it has romped home, it is safe. I have never played it safe when it comes to any of my choices. 

Do you think it’s easier for you to be part of smaller, but content-driven films, which will have a limited reach, because you’ve established yourself as a star?

I have always experimented, so that doesn’t apply to me. I have never done things, which have been done in the past. I have never been in that zone where I have thought, ‘Senior actors ne yeh kiya hai, toh main bhi yehi karunga’. My endeavour as a new actor is to push my limits. Whether it works or doesn’t is a different thing because that’s beyond my control. All my Fridays have been different. When people look at my filmography, they will feel that Sid has done everything differently from his contemporaries in the first five years.

So, you don’t think about the box-office prospects of a film when you sign it?

It’s not like that. It’s just that I am looking at the bigger picture as opposed to the smaller things. I can’t keep thinking about the box-office business. You can’t live off a big hit for a long time, but if you get appreciation, you get a bigger equity and a better legacy. Yes, of course, there are films that have not done well, but there have been movies that have been appreciated as well. I’m not insecure in that zone because I still have the same confidence with which I came into this industry. I know that I will make it, but there’s time to do that. It will happen over some time. It’s a matter of getting the correct combination. These are times to learn from because an actor learns the most when things don’t go his way. There’s a sense of maturity that comes in and fear goes away. And that will only help me better myself as a performer. 

Have you ever regretted signing any of the films that you’ve been a part of?

Never! I have made all the choices consciously, and I stand by them. Yes, I learn from them. On the sets, when I see directors change something because of the location or technical matters, then it’s just an experience ki aisa bhi ho sakta hai. That’s the learning, but not a regret ki yaar kyun kiya. 

How have your choices changed in the last year?

I think my choices are inclined more towards content-driven films. I haven’t really done the typical, mainstream films. I have always looked for that one peg in all my films. More than it changing my choices, it changes my performance. What I do with those films and characters is what’s important. Aiyaary is next and it has a talented director like Neeraj Pandey and he likes things very subtle. So, the film is more about the story than just the performances. I have not seen the film yet so I can’t speak for it. Henceforth, like in the Vikram Batra biopic, whatever I do, there will be far more shades to it than what you saw in Ittefaq. Probably, now, I get the push to try things like that better. 

What about doing a niche film?

Of course, I would love to. I have not differentiated between commercial and niche films. Some of my most commercial choices have not worked. Right now, nobody knows what will work. The smaller films are doing well mainly because they are made on tight budgets. They usually turn out to be sleeper hits. That’s far more satisfying than falling into the trap of having a big film, releasing at a period and following a certain graph. 

Would you like to do a web series?

I haven’t been offered one. I am selfishly ambitious to be on 70 mm — to do bigger and better films and build that equity. I came to Mumbai to become a Hindi film actor and not digress from that. It’s not creatively that attractive right now. Ittefaq could have even been a web series but I’m getting to do it here. Why would I go to a digital team when I’m getting to do so many interesting things in films?

Would you go bald for a role?

I would do it for a character if needed. I gained weight for Brothers. I buzzed my hair and had a beard and didn’t come out in the media for the first three months to keep my look away from the eyes of the paparazzi. 

What about a Full Monty then? Are you comfortable?

Of course, I would do it. But only if there’s a reason or logic behind it. I will not drop my underwear unless it’s aesthetic and it’s great to do a character like that (laughs).  I won’t go nude just for the heck of it. It’s pointless.