New Delhi: During an interview with GQ Hype, the Shershaah actor Sidharth Malhotra spoke about his greatest learnings over the past ten years he has spent in the industry: Be your own Cheerleader. He takes to GQ Hype through his experience on the sets of Shershaah, and also talks about his role model.
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When Sidharth Malhotra got pushed out of the plane at two instead of at three, like he was promised, he had an epiphany. Skydiving was like life itself: Sometimes, you’ve just got to let go.
Professionally though, he’s all about investing blood, sweat, and tears. Shershaah, the actor’s latest and most successful release, stands testament. Training for the role of Captain Vikram Batra, a Kargil war hero, was gruelling. But the work paid off.
Sidharth Malhotra’s on a mission to break the mould. To him, Ek Villain, Kapoor and Sons, and Brothers each mark a distinct break from the glamourized characters he’s known to play. It’s been 10 years in the industry, and if there’s one thing he’s learned, it’s this: Be your own cheerleader.
Even a year on, Shershaah continues to have an impact. What has its success meant to you?
It was a thrill to see the audience soaking in every aspect of Shershaah, the characters, the action, the emotions, and the love story. This is the kind of response that every actor hopes for. Shershaah has satisfied my creative juices in every way and is one of the most special films of my decade-long career.
You completed a decade in the industry this year. What has been your biggest learning?
You’ve got to be your own cheerleader. In my early days, I felt that as an actor one played a very small role in a film’s success; it was more about the director’s edit, the producer’s marketing, and the packaging of all of it. Now over the years, especially when you’re working with younger directors, you get more of a say.
A lot of blood, sweat, and tears have been spent in the last decade. And all of it has led to this one realization: If I don’t blow my own trumpet, who else will? I think Dev saab (Dev Anand) had said this many years ago. It still holds true.
There are actors breaking the mould of late though…
It all happened because of OTT. When we started 10 years ago, OTT was barely a thing, but now we’ve got multiple streaming networks, television, movies, and social media to play with. It’s an interesting time to be a performer, artist, and entertainer. I’m excited to see what the next few decades hold.
You’re a very private person, and yet your life, especially your love life, is always on the public’s radar. Has that affected your relationships in the past?
No, not at all. I think I’ve always been honest. Plus, being on the public’s radar is part and parcel of the job. It doesn’t really bother me unless there are instances where they’re popping out from behind a bush as you’re getting in and out of your house. I find that intrusive and at times disrespectful.
Credits:
Head of Editorial Content: Che Kurrien
Photographer: Errikos Andreou
Stylist: Selman Fazil
Writer: Sanjana Ray
–IANS