When Siddhant Chaturvedi first caught everyone’s imagination, it was in an avatar few newcomers would choose for their big screen debut. Who wouldn’t want that typical romantic lead launch, right? But the actor who had by then been part of a successful web series - he was brilliant as Prashant Kanaujia in Inside Edge - and yet somehow remained largely inconspicuous, won the hearts of both critics and audiences as MC Sher in Zoya Akhtar’s Gully Boy. Such was his impact that even Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt’s performances couldn’t make you forget his supporting but significant character.
He’s come a long way since, having taken his shot at those romantic lead parts, as well as everything from grey characters to movie franchises and even the high-octane action extravaganzas designed to showcase him as the quintessential ‘hero’. He’s rarely hit a false note, and more impressively, shown a consistent attempt at never sticking to a box. And he’s stayed patient, never letting the launch of ‘the next big thing’ actors around him make him sweat. “Patience is a major part of the game,” he reflects. It’s this philosophy that continues to fuel his growth as an artist and as a multi-faceted creative force — be it through painting, martial arts, or poetry.
Siddhant Chaturvedi would like you to know that his evolution as an actor has only just started. He’s ambitious while remaining grounded, and we’re definitely certain he knows what he’s doing.
Esquire India: From Gully Boy to Yudhra, how has the journey been?
Siddhant Chaturvedi: I’m lucky to play such great parts in different kinds of films. While it’s been a conscious choice to play different parts, you can only choose from what you've been offered. I'm glad that filmmakers have given me a chance to prove my versatility.
ESQ: Is there a secret to staying relevant in the film industry?
SC: Even if I worked for 50 years in the film industry, I wouldn’t know how to plan the next move. I go with my instinct, and never think about staying relevant. I just feel blessed to be able to work here.
ESQ: What’s your take on the art vs commerce debate?
SC: If I try to aim for commerce, if I try to strategize, I think I'll fail miserably. So all I can do is focus on my craft, and if it’s pure, and there's honesty, it will create a long-lasting impact, like it happened with my first film. The media kind of pollutes everything by throwing numbers so I try to constantly keep myself away from that conversation. I keep my head low and continue working, reminding myself that it's not a sprint, it's a marathon.
ESQ: You’re also a martial artist, painter, musician, and even a host at major events. How does that work?
SC: My definition of being an actor is to be able to do everything — paint, dance, martial arts, entertaining people in a room. There is passion for all these things individually as well. But you know, when I'm reading a script, I can visually sketch it in my head, so painting helps. Martial arts help with body language; the way I walk, dancing and martial arts helped me with the physical intelligence of it. All these things help me express myself in different ways.
ESQ: What’s the one thing about being an actor you wish more people knew?
SC: Patience is a major part of the game. Even when we are working for 12 hours, 80% is just waiting. Even when you’re starting out, there’s a lot of waiting involved. It’s the hardest part, waiting for that one opportunity. Especially when you're coming from the outside, and have no knowledge of things like positioning and brand marketing.
ESQ: How do you stay motivated?
SC: The best part is having to know that I have an audience. It doesn’t matter whether it is 10, 20, 200, 200,000 or 20 crore people watching you. I want to give them as much as possible. When I was aspiring to be an actor, I used to look for motivation. I used to look for positivity as well. So now that I'm here in this business, I want to share that, and also, at the same time, I balance it out with a little bit of vulnerability. I write poetry, where I share my most vulnerable moments.
ESQ: Is there anything you still want to conquer that you haven't yet explored?
SC: I feel like there's so much more to be done, and it's all boiling inside me. I'm never going to be satisfied with what I've done. I've always wanted to be better, and I always want to push myself to do better. It's a constant chase.
ESQ: We’ve heard you’re the life of every party?
SC: I can be very extreme. At times, I'm nowhere to be seen. And then, you see me at parties, and I’m dancing like there’s no tomorrow, because that's something I truly enjoy. I never go to a party just to show my face and exit. If I go to a party, I stay there till the end. That's my rule!