Having started his career with romantic films, Sidharth Malhotra is now looking forward to do characters that have depth and help him grow as an actor.
The 33-year-old actor says at this point in his career, he wants to take risks.
“Deep-rooted characters like in Ittefaq or Aiyaary, had lot of depth, which I personally like. and I think you just grow (as actor). I think to do just a love story becomes sightly frivolous.
“If you do not have crutches of a love story, then the character has multiple layers and can take you on a different journey in a film,” Malhotra said.
In his five-year-long career in Bollywood, the model-turned-actor has played varied characters and he says there is always an attempt to do something “non-typical”.
“Being versatile in India is a trend, where no one actor is known for a particular kind of a role or film and in my own small way, I am trying to mould myself into playing a soft and tough part.
“I am definitely challenging myself and going against the grain. I am trying to do something non typical. I yearn for something that is unique, something that no one has done before and opens up a different horizon,” he adds.
Critics lauded his performance in Ittefaq. Neeraj Pandey’s Aiyaary is about a mentor and protege, played by Manoj Bajpayee and Malhotra, respectively.
In real life, the young actor considers Karan Johar his mentor, but at the same time says eventually one has to work hard on their own.
“After a point, you don’t need a mentor. Karan Johar launched us initially and gave us an opportunity, but then we all (referring to himself, Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt) are on our own, making our own decisions. There is no particular formula. I just follow my instincts.”
For the first time, the Student of the Year actor is seen as an Army officer onscreen and he says it is a role close to his heart as his grandfather was in the Army.
“Unfortunately, I did not get much time to be with my grandfather. But my father has lived that life and he is looking forward to see me in this avatar in the film,” he said.
The film is headlined by a host of talented actors such as Bajpayee, Naseeruddin Shah, Adil Hussain, but Malhotra had scenes only with Bajpayee.
“While working with him (Bajpayee) so closely, I observed him and learnt a lot. After the shot, he was kind enough to talk to me about acting workshops, diction, etc. It is something I will use it in my next film.”
Aiyaary is out now in the UAE.
