Actor #SiddhantChaturvedi got recognition after he debuted in #ZoyaAkhtar’s #GullyBoy which had #RanveerSingh headlining the film. He bagged Filmfare’s Best Supporting Actor award for the same. He did a good job in a web series, based on cricket, #InsideEdge, which had quite a few big names from the film industry including #VivekOberoi and #RichaChaddha. Siddhant entertained with newcomer Sharvari in #BuntyAurBabli2. Recently Siddhant was in the news for steamy scenes with his Gully Boy co-star’s wife #DeepikaPadukone in #Gehraiyaan, a film by #ShakunBatra which had a digital release. Recently Siddhant’s co-actor was #KatrinaKaif in #PhoneBhoot. Our senior editor Mr Keerti Kadam interacted with Siddhant Chaturvedi. Excerpts from it.
Right in the beginning of your career you had a chance to work with A-list heroines. How do you feel?
I feel blessed to have debuted in Gully Boy which had Alia Bhatt in the lead. Then in Gehraiyaan, Deepika was the lead star. She made me comfortable during the shoot. In fact sometimes we travelled by sea when we were shooting in Alibaug. Katrina Kaif too broke the ice on the first day itself. I come from a small place and she fits the idea of a ‘Heroine’. And when she enters the set, guys like me forget all their anxieties and stress. So yes. I feel nice about working with these actresses and more than me my friend circle is more in awe. I feel proud to be working with them and I feel that I am lucky. I definitely want to do films which has larger reach. Good director, big production house etc does matter because they take the film to the wider audiences. I am always excited around the release of my new film. During Covid times things had gone topsy turvy but the film industry is getting it’s feet back in rhythm. So my level of excitement is always high.
How does it feel to be in film Industry? How do you feel about the stardom?
Frankly speaking I am Not a star yet. Huge stars like Shahrukh Khan, Salman Khan, Mr Bachchan sir are real stars. I feel that the contribution and recognition they have given to Bollywood, nobody can match. They deserve being called stars and their stardom inspires youngsters like me. I don’t think I have done something great like that, yet. I think I still need to work hard, try new things and imbibe different approach. I always believe that “If you can’t Win the Game than Change the Game”. And I want to change the game. (Smiles)
What would you prefer to be a star or an actor? How confident are you?
I prefer to be a Star who can Act. It’s bound to change over time, but right now, it’s all about aspiration and charting my path, I’ve made my own way through the jungle. There have been thorns, puddles, hard and soft surfaces, but I’ve made my way. Be it the scripts I choose or the brands I endorse, they are all a reflection of my aspiration. I Always dreamt of a great launch as an actor. But from the place I come from, we don’t get a ‘launch’. I think for being accepted I need to win credibility. From the very start I was clear and confident what I have to do, and how to tread the path.
Talking about confidence, I was always super confident. It’s not that films did not come to me before Gully Boy. Plenty were offered to me but I wanted something extra in my role to get noticed. Doing run of the mill roles were not in my scheme of things. So I waited till the right role, right film came my way. And I am glad that I waited.
You were studying to be a Chartered Accountant. When did you discover you were meant to be an actor?
I was always a performer. I had no inhibitions. I used to dance at birthday parties and people used to love to watch me dance. Then college happened and I did theatre for a few months. I used to love films and my dad took me for a movie every Friday, so that had a huge impact on me. That apart, I used to write poetry and paint, so I was very artistically inclined. Then when I started auditioning in front of the camera I faced a lot rejections, but it taught me a lot about what I should not do. It’s hard to describe but acting just comes to me naturally. I think it can’t be taught in a school. It’s all about observation.
You did a film with YRF, how was your experience working with them?
I have a very long relation with YRF studios. During my college days, a lot of my friends used to come to the studio for auditions or internships so if I ever accompanied them, I always waited outside at a ‘chai tapri’. No matter how much my friends asked me to come in, I never went in because I had this dream to be invited inside by Aditya Chopra sir and even though it seemed like a far-fetched dream that time, I had decided that it was the only way I was going to go in there if I ever did. And when Bunty Aur Babli 2 happened, it became one of the most special films for me because it made my dream come true.
Cinema obviously is the steam engine.
Who do you think is your competition in the industry?
I feel lucky, I don’t have any competition at this stage. Most of them are married or most of them are yet to be launched so I consider myself as lucky actor with no competition. I have opportunity to choose script wisely. But on the other hand, the new generation of actors do not have enmity towards each other. There is competition but a healthy one. Most of us are proactive and celebrate each other’s success.
Talking about stardom, I know it won’t be adulation, like in earlier times. But it will come in a different shape, size, format and medium. Today’s youth is looking for a contemporary Hero who they’ll connect with, who’ll inspire them. An actor who’ll entertain from all platforms, includiing Instagram, Facebook, You Tube, will emerge as a star. But yes, Cinema obviously is the steam engine.
What keeps you busy when you’re not acting?
I keep on writing things and thought. I love to spend time with my family and friends. Recently I’ve been to Ladakh with them. My brother has turned 18 and he is interested in music. I jam with him. My parents are happy and proud that I am working with stalwarts because they have seen me doing nothing, just lying in my room, for three years. I feel lucky and respect for the opportunity I received. I want to maintain it. I am calculative enough to not throw it away by erratic moves. I know how I have toiled to reach wherever I am today. Of course there’s very long way to go. I like to chill with my set of friends. They’ll praise and criticise me without any bias. I particularly did not like going to ‘filmy’ parties, I get a complex. I am brought up in a different environment and I keep searching for Paneer and Achaar around Tofu and Thai Curry. But film industry is very welcoming and has a community bond where they look out for each other.
What all are your upcoming movies?
I am quite new in this industry. And I understand that very films will come to me. But I am lucky that production house like Excel believe in my talent. I am doing two films with them. One is written by Zoya Akhtar and other one is an action film.
Currently I’m shooting for a film titled “Yudhra”, after wrapping up in April. I’m going to be shooting for my next film” Kho Gaye Hum Kahaan”, again reuniting with Ananya Panday. The film is based on today’s time of digital age and revolves around three friends in Mumbai.
I would love to do a biopic on cricketer Yuvraj Singh. In fact he has said it on record that I should play him in his biopic. And his mother has said after watching Gully Boy, “Yeh bhi Sher hai aur mera Puttar bhi Sher hai”. So yes, this is my dream project.
