It’s Sidharth Malhotra’s birthday but he isn’t ready to tell us about his plans. “Last year, I had a working birthday. I was shooting for Let’s Nacho so I spent it with Alia, Fawad and the rest of the cast and crew of Kapoor & Sons. The year before that, I was with my close friends and my family in Goa. We booked a villa on a private beach and we partied. Very intimate, and that’s the way I like it. This year, I am not shooting, so it’s going to be a more intimate celebration with friends. I don’t feel like throwing a big party because it becomes a responsibility. I might even travel, go out of the city.” He’s 32 now. No better time to ask him about things he has learnt about others and himself, of all things good and bad, or likes and dislikes, etc. Read on as Sid gets candid...
That my nephew is taking guitar lessons. I have spent more time with my family now, which is a good thing.
My mother asking me when will I settle down (Smiles)
Praise for my films!
Work. I love working every day.
I would love to have my family around constantly. When I was in Bangkok, they came to visit me. I had sprained my ankle and having my mom, dad, bhabhi and my nephew around, I had the best sleep. They were just chit-chatting among themselves, and I just passed out there. I just love having that whole energy around.
Communication skills. Also, I hope I am more disciplined and put in more in a day than I’m doing right now.
Nothing! Women are lovely and perfect. It’s the men who have to change, not the women.
I wish there was more unity. We should stand up for many more causes together.
The acceptance of new talent like me and the diverse content coming out today.
Fear of failure!
I was brought up in a Punjabi household, so the basic swear words in Punjabi, I keep saying them often.
Any one of my five friends from school, who I’m still in touch with. No point naming them, you won’t know them. They know who they are. They have been with me for over a decade and some of them have seen me from my childhood — from my colony to my school and college. I still invite them over to my house and they come and spend weekends. These people are special.
My early 20s when I was struggling. If I could go back and tell myself that ‘Don’t worry, man! You are going to do a Karan Johar film as your debut film.’
My jeans from the Kukkad song in SOTY. They are Diesel jeans with patches on it. Manish (Malhotra) and Karan (Johar) styled me for it. And I kept them as memoirs because that’s one of the best entries that a newcomer can get who’s not from the industry.
There are loads of them. I’ve worked with Akshay Kumar, so I admire his discipline. I have seen Shah Rukh Khan. I like his knowledge in terms of different subjects. When you see Mr Bachchan working at this age, you get inspired and you know what a person can do, even in his 70s.
Akshay Kumar and Karan Johar!
A few more inches! (laughs) I mean the height...
Raju Hirani. He’s one of the best directors. Whatever he writes is brilliant. I’m a big fan of all his work.
Deepika and me together would be exciting. Similar shoulder and head size...
Ranbir’s film, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil.
A new house!
Not another country. I want to go to Leh, Ladakh. I’ve travelled less in India in the last few years. I have never been to Leh and I want to see the place.
Alia! I have had a very long association with her and I have known her from day one. I think she’s a wonderful person and I share a great rapport with her.
I’m a very annoying, possessive friend. If my friends do something which I don’t approve of, I would make sure I voice it out and irritate them a bit.
The need to put myself out there much more.
My dadi. I grew up with her and when I stay here alone, I miss those times.
Scarlett Johansson. I even spoke about it on Koffee With Karan this year which they edited out. I am a big fan of just her personality. She can be extremely soft and vulnerable. And in the same zone, we have seen her play action roles where she’s very sorted, aggressive and focussed. That’s something very sexy and it’s a great quality she has.
No one. I think all of us have our own demons to deal with. I am sure he would also have his share. So, I would rather deal with my own.
I have not really thought about it. I am a Delhi boy, so I don’t think I will be able to settle down fully. I have stayed away from my family for most of my life now. I have stayed alone for the last 12-14 years. I have been working since I was 18. So I would like to settle down within India with my family. A big household with Punjabi chit- chat all around.
My nana’s watch which my nani gave me after he passed away. That’s something I cherish.
My mother. My dad used to travel a lot and she brought us up mostly by herself. Sometimes, she was playing both father and mother. So, all the credit of what I have learnt in life — the qualities, the culture — goes to her. Obviously, my dad has also taught us a lot of things, but my mother had to reprimand us more.
To get a house. Whether my family will join me or not, I don’t know. They have their base in Delhi and it’s difficult for them to shift base to a new city. But at least, I would try and convince them after making a good enough house so that they feel, ‘Arre waah, humein yahaan rehnaa hai’.