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Source: http://in.rediff.com/movies/2006/feb/06sid.htm

Meet Siddharth, of Rang De Basanti

'Siddharth may have bowled everyone over with his performance in Rang De Basanti but, when he moved to Chennai from Mumbai after an MBA from the S P Jain Institute of Management, acting was not part of his plans. It was thanks to his mentors, cinematographer P C Sreeram and his brother Jayendra, that he got a prized assignment -- that of assisting Mani Ratnam in Kannathil Muthamittal.

"I met Mani Ratnam for an interview and landed my first job in cinema. I am proud to be associated with a film as special as Kannathil Muthamittal. I saw and learnt the science of filmmaking from very close quarters," he told rediff.com years ago.

It was during that assignment that writer Sujatha and his wife saw him and recommended his name to Shankar who was casting for his film, Boys. Siddharth was auditioned, and signed on.

Though Boys did not set the Tamil Nadu box office on fire, it became a rage in Andhra Pardesh. Siddharth moved from Chennai to Hyderabad to concentrate on Telugu films. The biggest hit of his career was Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana, directed by Prabhu Deva.

Now, with Rang De Basanti becoming a big hit, Siddharth may soon have a promising career in Bollywood. The 'reclusive actor' speaks to Shobha Warrier about his first Hindi film.

What was the Rang De Basanti experience like?

It has been the most enjoyable shoot of my career, mostly due to my relationship with director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra. He is a wonderful technician and a very important influence in my life. I have learnt many things about myself as an actor and as a person through this film.

RDB  works as a script and as a film, because of the wonderful core group and its chemistry, both on and off screen. Aamir Khan was the main catalyst in this process. He is a very secure actor and a very simple person. Rakeysh and Aamir ensured that everyone had a great time, and that shows in the film.

How much do you identify with the ideology of the film?

I don't do too many films. I have done four in as many years. After Boys, I did not want to sign a film I didn't believe in. This made it impossible for me to do many films. Aayitha Eyuthu, Nuvvo…, Chukkallo and RDB are very close to my heart, and I am proud of all of them. RDB is a very important event in Indian cinema. When I read the script, I knew it was going to be huge. The message is universal, and has been delivered in spectacular style.

Do you agree with the end of the film?

RDB leaves you with a sense of pride; of having seen something that makes you want to think, that makes you want to do. I did not feel sad when I saw the film. I felt the boys were liberated. It makes us want to fill their shoes and carry on the good work; to follow Karan's gospel that urges the youth to join politics, the civil services, armed forces, and to clean the system from the inside out.

Do you feel frustrated with the state of the affairs in the country?

I feel chaos is necessary to retain order. India is a vibrant country. Anything is possible here. Nothing frustrates me. I am a die-hard optimist. I believe there is huge scope for change and improvement. You can't ask for a better place to want to spend your life doing what you love doing. That's why I am here, doing the work I am doing.

Did you expect this kind of appreciation in a film that had so many actors?

I don't believe in the star system. I would have wasted the next 20 years of my life and career if I had tried to be a star. I am here to be a creative professional. Currently, I want to make my name as an acting talent to be reckoned with. I am proud of RDB. I signed on because I wanted to be part of something that had purpose. Everything else is just a bonus.

Would you act in more Hindi films, or will you concentrate only on Telugu cinema?

I am primarily concentrating on Telugu films. I have a responsibility to my fans there. If good work comes my way from Mumbai, I would definitely consider it. However, it is foolish to expect films like RDB. These kind of films are not made. They just happen in a very long time.

When we spoke a little after Boys, you said you did not want to be an actor, and that you wanted to be a filmmaker. But you are acting more these days. Does it satisfy the creative person in you?

I still nurture dreams of becoming a director someday. I did not expect to be an actor. Now that it has happened, I want to be the best at it that I can be. I am learning everyday. As for direction, let's wait and see.

You wrote the script of Chukkallo Chandrudu. How familiar are you with the language and culture of Andhra Pradesh?

I wanted to make a film that was urban in its construct and execution. Chukkallo was an experiment. It was made to set up the foundation for modern, young cinema in Telugu. I am very happy with the response. I wrote it based on my knowledge of the Hyderabad I have seen and lived in. I love Hyderabad and its people. I think it shows in the film.

Do you look at script writing as a step to direction?

Not consciously. I wrote Chukkallo because I am a writer. I was a writer before I became an actor. I did not use my status as an actor to become a writer. I don't do anything with an eye on something else. If direction happens, it will be my first step in that realm. I don't think I can take any steps towards it now.

When you came to assist Mani Ratnam after an MBA, did you imagine you would be such a huge success?

I came into this line of work because this is my passion, and my dream. I definitely knew in my heart that I would be good at whatever I put my heart and soul into. Success is not a divine phenomenon. It rests firmly in your ability and ambition.

What do you attribute your success in films to -- talent or luck?

I don't believe in luck. I am a self-made man. I believe in my talent and hard work.'

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source: http://entertainment.oneindia.in/bollywood/interviews/2008/siddharth-interview-260208.html

"It took me two years to find a Hindi movie"- Siddharth

In a short span of 6 years, Siddharth has acquired the reputation of being ultra-choosy. And that's the way he likes it. Beginning with the Tamil cult hit, Boys, in 2003, Siddharth came to Hindi cinema and Rang De Basanti with just a meager body of work in Tamil and Telugu. Now that he has signed a new Hindi film, the finicky actor says he's still in no hurry to get anywhere. Today after much dilly dallying Siddharth has said yes to another Hindi project after apparently having said no to a prestigious project like Dilli 6. What makes this actor say Yes to Chandan Arora and a No to Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra?

You're finally doing another Hindi film after Rang De Basanti. What took you so long to select another film?

The fact that I took so long to start a film after Rang De Basanti seems to surprise everyone but me. I specifically said after Rang De Basanti that I would not do anything unless I am completely excited by it. It has taken me 2 years to find a Hindi film that I think I should do as opposed to having people tell me what they want to see me doing. Now all that is left to do is to stand by that decision and to give it its worth, and that's the really exciting part.

Whether it's the South or in Mumbai, you've acquired the reputation of being extra-picky. Are you just being cautious about your career?

People often tell me I take myself too seriously. I think I could still do more. If I don't take myself seriously, no one else is going to either. I want to look back at my career and see hunger for excellence and conviction as being the root cause for selecting each of my films. I think my filmography reads as sensible, and that's pretty good for a 6 year old career. Be it Telugu cinema or Hindi, I am here to stay, and I would rather achieve that with one good film at a time, as opposed to a barrage of mediocrity just to stay in circulation.

Now finally there is Striker in Hindi. What made you choose this assignment among all the ones that came to you?

I was waiting to find a director whose voice and vision excited me as much as I believed it would excite an audience. Hindi cinema is in a place where nobody knows where the next sea change is going to come from. Chandan Arora's script made me think that Striker has a fantastic chance of being a very important film. His integrity impressed me. It's a beautiful film. I am really looking forward to the challenge of complementing such a compelling script with my performance.

Are you a carom player in real life? Chandan tells me, you've been mastering the game, lingo and the real-life character's personality. Do you think non-fictional characters should be replicated or should they be played according to the actor and director's independent interpretation?

I think it is inappropriate to get into details of the performance at such an early stage. To address it very briefly, I think that real life characters that the people haven't observed closely makes it possible for huge liberties to be taken while depicting them on screen. That is both a convenient and a challenging prospect at the same time. It's convenient because you 'can' make it up, and challenging because you 'have' to make it up.

Whether it's the South or the North, you're known for selected screen appearances. Isn't there a danger of being under-exposed?

I believe any exposure is exposure. The words 'under' and 'over' are used in the future when looking back. My career span isn't long enough just yet to make that analysis. As of now, I think I am getting my exposure, and that is a relief. It's better than doing no work at all.

How is your Southern career doing? Are you getting the roles that satisfy your aesthetics?

I have achieved critical and mass acceptance in Telugu. It is hugely satisfying because I have done it my way, and have done so in an industry considered to be very hostile to male actors from outside the state. However, my fans there have never once let me feel like a Tamilian. I am and always will be their very own Telugu boy. I have commissioned my own films and been part of everything from writing to crew selection from my very first film. My identity as a thinking Telugu actor gives me great joy.

What about in Mumbai. What after Striker? Any other Hindi assignments?

I worked with Vishal Bhardwaj on a short film Blood Brothers on the subject of AIDS. It was more important for me to associate myself with that film based on what it wanted to achieve, than with the myriad other offers that might have been big commercial studio success stories. I mention this to give myself a fair idea of how to go about selecting work. I am accountable both to myself and to the people who see my work. I will start a new film as soon as I know that I won't be letting that faith down.

What prompted you to accept Vishal's Blood Brothers as your follow-up to Rang De Basanti in Hindi?

In the year following Rang De Basanti, I went back to Hyderabad and did two hugely successful Telugu films. I decided to take a break for six months and travel. That's when Vishal called. I worked on the film because of the cause it stood for and because I was excited about working with Vishal Bhardwaj and the Oscar-winning cinematographer Guillermo Navarro.

Do you feel like a fish out of water in Mumbai? How do you intend to divide your time between Chennai and Mumbai? Or will Chennai continue to be home?

I have no emotional attachment with any city. I have been living out of a suitcase for over 4 years now. Home for me is where I am working at any given point of time. When I am unemployed, I go to my parents for shelter. I see this ritual continuing for a while to come.

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Interview which was made to release of KIKK:

Part 1:
Part 2:
Part 3:

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Rang De Basanti has brought its cast and crew with it to Goa, and actor Siddharth took time off to talk to CNN-IBN:

http://ibnlive.in.com/videos/27087/rdb-is-still-alive-says-siddharth.html

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‘If they are writing the new status quo, sign me up’

Introducing Siddharth, the shy and defiant Karan Singhania from Rang De Basanti. By Subhash K. Jha

Who’s that dark brooding guy in Rang De Basanti? Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra chose him to play the confused capitalist Karan Singhania because of his vulnerable boyish looks. But Siddharth has no intentions of moving bag and baggage to Mumbai to pursue a career. “Has Rang De Basanti been well received?” he asks curiously, from Down South. “I’m glad. We all worked hard on it, but specially Rakeysh Mehra and Aamir Khan. I was with the project for just six months. But they nurtured it together for three years.” Siddharth is practical enough to realise there isn’t a clamour by filmmakers waiting for him in Bollywood. “But of course I’m open to good offers. The only problem,” he reveals shyly, “is that I’m very picky. In five years I’ve done only five films. I like to choose my roles carefully. There’s no point in doing work that makes you unhappy. At the end of the day you’ve to look yourself in the eye.”

Such conviction for an actor who has been in the Tamil blockbuster, Boys (2003), and the Telugu hit, Nuvvostanante Nenodannatana (2004). Siddharth is apparently being offered a fee close to Rs 2 crore! But he isn’t talking about his price, let alone doing the avalanche of films being offered to him. Excerpts:

Q: What prompted you to take on Rang De Basanti....your first Hindi film?
Interestingly, I was actually steering clear of industries other than Telugu when Mehra’s office called. I was very non-committal. They sent me a bound script, and that’s when things really took off. The moment I read it, I knew this was not a film to reject. In two days, I was a part of Rang De Basanti. I was moved by the script, and felt Mehra was definitely on to something.

Q: Weren’t you deterred by the fact that it was an ensemble piece, and the fact that Aamir would get centrestage?
I cannot possibly explain how exciting it is to hear the word ensemble piece with respect to Indian cinema. The most exciting aspect of RDB at the script stage was this very ambitiously equanimous treatment of all the protagonists. The reason I believed it could be pulled off was that Aamir was a part of it. Also, there is no centrestage in RDB. It’s a huge stage, and all of us get to run around, just doing our own thing! It always hurt me when people said unfair, accusatory things about Aamir and his attitude towards his coactors’ roles. RDB should go a long way in rubbishing these silly allegations. An individual like Aamir really does not deserve them.

Q: What was the experience of working with Rakeysh?
Mehra is at the cutting edge of two very important horizons. The first is in the realm of heartfelt Indian storytelling. Mehra is Indian, period. His food, his humour, his nostalgia, all swim in **** India juice. That’s why the friends in RDB jump out from the screen and bite you. They exist, all over this huge country. The second area Mehra astonishes you in is his craft. He is by far the most ambitious technical filmmaker in Indian cinema. In effect, he combines state-of-the-art film wizardry with lorry art (Horn please, ok!). As Mehra would put it, “stuff like that”.

Q: You are known as the Aamir of the South?  
Why have you done such a meagre body of work in five years? And do you really charge two? I am a bit of a paranoid actor. I started off as an assistant director to Mani Ratnam. Direction was passionately my ultimate dream. When I suddenly became a screen actor, I took a reality check, and promised myself to only commit to work that completely excited me. It isn’t really my fault that such projects were very few in number also, I am building a CV of serious standing. Mani Ratnam, Shankar, Prabhudeva, Rakeysh Mehra...these guys make going to work so much fun. I am only five films old, five good films. As for the Rs 2 crore, it sounds lovely. I haven’t seen it yet, but it sounds lovely.

Q: You stride two regions ?Tamil Nadu and Andhra ?now Mumbai. Is that a comfortable position?
I am actually exclusively with only the Telugu film industry. It’s a huge, vibrant and warm place to work. It’s the largest single state market in the country for motion pictures. I am in a position there, where I can do what I really want. My last release was a film that I wrote myself. It gave me a lot of pleasure and did really well too. So, yes, life is good. RDB hopefully should make things more fun! Good work is more than any actor can ask for. RDB should do a bit in that direction for me.

Q: Tell us about yourself. Where do you come from?
I am a Tamil. My school education was spread over Delhi and Chennai. I did my B.Com (Hons) from KMC in Delhi Univ. I got my MBA from the S.P. Jain Institute of Management in Mumbai. Then came the assistant director stint with Mani Ratnam for a couple of years. Acting happened by chance, and the rest is a blur.

Q: Doesn’t scarce work scare you?
Strangely, scarce work is a really welcome proposition. No work might be really frightening. I haven’t been there yet. I want to be proud of my films. It’s much better to show your kids 10 good films, than to make excuses to them about why you made 20 bad ones. Again, good and bad doesn’t reflect commercial success. I judge films on how they justify my conviction in them. It’s hugely gratifying when they do.

Q: Southern actors aren’t known to be too successful in Bollywood. Do you think you can break that mould?  
I haven’t made any plans yet. Whether I do another Hindi film depends solely on the work I am offered post RDB. I am in no hurry to prove anything to anyone. I have two wonderful Telugu films lined up this year. A good Hindi script would be a great icing on the cake. Let’s see.

Q: You’ve worked with Mani and Shankar. Who are the actors you admire in Mumbai and the South?
Directors in Mumbai you’d give your right/left arm to work with? I think there is a new breed of directors emerging. These guys are irreverent and want to break the rules, but also have a firm grounding in the good old stuff that makes Indian films so beautiful. I want to work with every single good director. I don’t even know their names yet. I haven’t signed any films specifically to work with any actor. A good script and a good director should make acting look good. That should do.

Q: Rang De Basanti is a film about changing the status quo. Do you think cinema is capable of doing that?  
Mehra has made a film that talks about how we complain all the time, but very few of us actually decide to do something about it. It applies to cinema in this country, too. We spend all our time criticising the way our films are made and asking why no one is making a difference. Mehra has done something very important. He has backed his conviction and translated his dream to screen. Aamir has facilitated this glorious celluloid dream. If they are writing the new status quo, sign me up, I am with them all the way.

source:  http://www.telegraphindia.com/1060210/asp/etc/story_5805359.asp

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source: http://www.santabanta.com/cinema.asp?pid=19053

Gays should have more freedom: Siddharth Suryanarayan

'Rang De Basanti' actor Siddharth says he is ready to play a gay role because he feels sexual orientation is a natural and personal choice.

Siddharth, who has just done Vishal Bharadwaj's 'Blood Brothers' and is busy with Chandan Arora's 'Striker', said: 'As an actor I play roles based on reality. Sexual orientation is a natural and personal choice. I see no reason for it to affect my decision to accept a project.'

'I have close friends who are gay, and they are as intelligent and caring, if not more, than my heterosexual friends. I think it's time we started respecting them and giving them their much-deserved freedom to just be themselves,' said the actor, according to whom India is a homophobic country.

Excerpts from an interview:

Q: What prompted you to accept Vishal Bharadwaj's 'Blood Brothers' as your follow-up to 'Rang De Basanti' in Hindi?

A: In the year following 'Rang De Basanti', I went back to Hyderabad and did two hugely successful Telugu films.

I decided to take a break for six months and travel. That's when Vishal called. I worked on the film because of the cause it stood for and also because I was excited about working with Vishal Bharadwaj and the Oscar-winning cinematographer Guillermo Navarro.

I am now busy with my most exciting film till date, 'Striker' with director Chandan Arora. I choose films based on my convictions, and take my association with them very seriously.

Q: Bharadwaj tells me that many leading actors in Mumbai are extremely wary of stepping into HIV territory. What made you so sure of this project?
A: I am not concerned with how other actors are functioning. I was the 15th actor considered for 'Rang De...' As for this film, my creative processes made it impossible to refuse the kind of work it offered.

Q: How much do you concern yourself with issues other than cinema, including AIDS?
A: Having done work with leading NGOs in the field I was fully aware of the topic and its gravity. Other than that, there is only so much more I can do as an actor. AIDS awareness and education are areas that concern me most.

Q: Bharadwaj says you're a unique actor. What is your take on him as a director? Would you like to do a full feature with him?
A: Vishal Bharadwaj as a director is first human and emotional and only then is he a technician. This makes working with him a very warm and comfortable experience. It made me able to go that extra step for his film.

As for working with him again, actors lead a passive existence and need to wait for somebody else to take the first step in order to get work. Vishal and I will work again depending on his writing and how it appeals to me at that time.

Q: Have you seen the other three AIDS films in Mira Nair's bouquet? What do you think of them?
A: I loved Santosh Sivan's piece 'Prarambh' that starred my dear friend Prabhu Deva. It was the most relevant and 'impactful' piece in the omnibus.

Q: You play a heterosexual man who suspects he has AIDS. Would you be willing to play a gay man who's tested HIV positive?
A: I think we are a homophobic country and I believe the media's insensitive sensationalisation of the issue is largely responsible for this.

As an actor I play roles based on reality. Sexual orientation is a natural and personal choice. I see no reason for it to affect my decision to accept a project.

I have close friends who are gay, and they are as intelligent and caring as, if not more than, my heterosexual friends. I think it's time we started respecting them and giving them their much-deserved freedom to just be themselves.

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Oy Is A Technical Feast’ : Siddharth

‘Oy’ starring Siddarth and Shamili is releasing today. In a brief talk, Siddarth has shared something about the film and here are those outcomes.

Tell us about the film?

Oye is a very special film and will rank right up there with Nuvvuvastanante Nenoddantana, Bommarillu, Aataa and Koncham Istham Koncham Kastham, all of which have grossed in excess of 15 crores. Normally, it’s every artist’s dream to do something different that will unleash his skills and to attract and excite all types of audiences. At the same time, they also want to surprise the audiences in a never before done manner and I am very happy to say that this film made them to do so and realize their dreams.
What’s the specialty in ‘Oy’?

Honestly, Oye is a Genuine, different and a very special film. It is all about the chemistry between the hero and the heroine. It is an out and out romantic beautiful film. At the same time this film delivers lessons that we all need to learn in our lives in a subtle, different and yet a beautiful way and all credit for this goes to director Anand Ranga. This film will release all over Andhra Pradesh today with the latest bigcil intermediate grading technology. That is to say with the best quality visuals and at the same time with a fantastic audio, as you all know Yuvan Shakar Raja’s music for this film has been a roaring success and is in the numero uno position in Andhra. This film is a technical feast to the audience –each and every technician gave his hundred percent for the film and we, producers
Say something about your heroine.

Universal Media, have never given a second thought to the budget as we wanted this to be the best. The film will be launching your favorite Baby Shamli as the heroine. Because expectations on her would obviously be high, our publicity gimmick of trying not to highlight her face too much until release worked out really well. Watching the film, audiences will actually feel like watching two characters instead of the Hero and Herione and follow those characters through their emotions and they feel like a character of the film by the climax. This is my main hope in the film. As always I request you to discourage piracy and go watch the film in your favorite theatre, appreciate our work and I hope that you will definitely make this film a big blockbuster.
What are the highlights of the film?

As is expected with my films, comedy plays a major role in this film too. It’s a nice clean comedy to be enjoyed by the entire family. All the artists – Sunil, Ali, Master Bharath, M.S. Narayana and even myself, along with some kids, performed really well and it’s a total laugh riot sort of film. It’s got a lot of positive happy moments. Another highlight is that the famous actor Napoleon is doing a straight Telugu film after a long time and is portraying a serious and emotional character. But I tell you, the real hero of the film is the story and director Anand Ranga, who was almost a right hand man to Bommarillu Bhaskar during the filming of that film, has done a commendable job in launching this wonderful script and himself.

indiaglitz (Friday, July 03, 2009)