Sidharth Malhotra's latest film 'Ittefaq' didn't really do very well at the box office but the actor still has an impressive list of films lined up. The actor will not only star in Neeraj Pandey’s 'Aiyaary', but will also play the lead in the slain martyr, Vikram Batra’s biopic. Recently, in an interview, the actor spoke about the parameters on the basis of which he signs a film.
When asked if he'd rather have a huge film do good business or a small film that gives a better return on investment, the actor said, "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."
When asked if he thinks about the box-office prospects of a film when he signs it, he said, "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."
When asked if he has ever regretted any of the films that he has signed he said, "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."
Asked if he would like to try a niche film, he stated, "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."
Talking about going bald for a role, he said, "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."
When asked if he wouldn't mind going nude for a film, the actor revealed, "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."
Stay tuned for more updates.
Credits: DNA
