There's a constant struggle to be relevant, says Siddhant Chaturvedi

This chartered accountant gave up crunching numbers in favour of winning hearts at the box office. He burst on the screens as rapper MC Sher singing Apna Time Ayega in Gully Boy, in 2019. It was a prophecy, as Siddhant Chaturvedi, who described himself as a “representative of the many hopefuls”, announced his arrival in Bollywood.

Fast Forward four years — even though his conviction and determination remain the same, he has wisened up. It’s no longer about the hustle to seek success. “I don’t have a short-term strategy, but a long-term vision. It is very easy to get self-absorbed. There is this constant tussle to be relevant, I struggle to be rare,” he says.

The actor is winning accolades for his nuanced performance as Imaad, an emotionally complex yet cock sure stand-up comic in the coming-of-age drama Kho Gaye Hum Kahan. He confesses that he took the risk of playing the character to break perceptions of him as an actor.

“Imaad’s character was like stepping into the dark; it was very challenging and had to be layered perfectly. I took the risk, though even initially Arjun (the director) wanted me to play Adarsh’s Neil, given my physicality as well as the fact that I come from a humble background like the character. But I wanted to play
someone who was far away from me, and I knew people would not expect this from me,” he reveals.

Five films old in the industry, Siddhant has had his share of ups and downs. Even though he won nods for playing the dangerously complex Zain in Gehraiyaan, the debacle of his two theatrical releases Bunty Aur Babli 2 (2021) and Phone Booth (2022) made him rethink and recalibrate. “I was very low when Phone Booth didn’t work. I had been craving theatrical glory, which was my biggest dream. But as a newcomer, many are not willing to invest in you.

The definition of cinema changed and it was the Southern films that were drawing in the crowds and it was also when the mega stars made their spectacular comebacks. As a new entry into the industry, I felt lost, the scripts and opportunities were not exciting and I was wondering what to do next. So I took a break that year on purpose to introspect, as I needed perspective in my choice of work.”

His famous retort to Gehraiyan and Kho Gaye Hum Kahan co-star on a newcomer roundtable in 2021 — “Their struggles start where our dreams are fulfilled” — was a telling statement on the distinction between the journeys of outsiders and insiders in the industry.

The actor acknowledges that the industry has been more than welcoming towards him. “I was very well received even though I was an outsider. I had the best production houses — Yash Raj, Dharma, and Excel — sign me up; I doubt anyone got the welcome I did in the past two decades. I got to share screen space with Deepika, Katrina, Ranveer.

The pandemic changed the market for all; the films I had signed became irrelevant as new content was being consumed. The rom-com stopped, and no one would cast a newcomer in films like KGF, and Pushpa that were working. As an outsider, it’s tough because you don’t how this place works, and every day is a revelation,” he says with a laugh.

With his endearing honesty and clarity of thought, Siddhanth is an actor who wants to retain his individuality as well as relatability to the audience, Being an avid cricketer, he says his passion projects are to be part of a biopic on cricketer Yuvraj Singh and to bring back the hope-filled romantic stories which were headlined by Shahrukh Khan in the ’90s.

“Yuvraj Sir himself had said that he would like me to play him if there is a biopic ever made on him. This has stuck in my head and it is my dream role of all times. That apart, I want to do rom-coms, stories that impart hope, the way Shahrukh Sir embraced us with his magic. Those are the stories I find myself inclined towards,” he says with a smile.

So, with rumour mills constantly abuzz about him dating Amitabh Bachchan’s granddaughter Navya Nanda, we ask him. “I am not very comfortable answering these questions; this is a private matter, let people decide what they want to,” he says shyly.