Growing up as an actor

To do just a love story becomes slightly frivolous, says SIDHARTH MALHOTRA

Having started his career with romantic films, Sidharth Malhotra is now looking forward to characters that have depth and help him grow as an actor. The 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 slightly 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,” Sidharth said.

In his five-year-long career in Bollywood, Sidharth has played varied characters and the actor 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 have lauded his performance in Ittefaq and his next release Aiyaary looks promising as well. The Neeraj Pandey directed film is about a mentor and protégé, played by Manoj Bajpayee and Sidharth, 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,” the actor adds.