Actor Siddharth, known for his candid approach, recently spoke at the Hyderabad Literary Festival, where he shared insights into his career choices and why he may have missed out on mainstream stardom. In a conversation with Vidya Rao, actress Aditi Rao Hydari’s mother, Siddharth revealed that his conscious rejection of roles promoting toxic masculinity might have limited his opportunities in commercial cinema.
The actor admitted that turning down certain scripts kept him from becoming a conventional film hero. “I used to get scripts where I’m slapping women, doing item songs, pinching somebody’s navel, telling a woman what she should do, where she should go, etc. I rejected them outright,” he said. “Of course, I might be a far bigger movie star today if I was differently wired.”
Siddharth emphasised that his decisions were guided by personal values rather than industry norms. He acknowledged that roles showcasing aggression and male dominance are often celebrated in mainstream cinema, but he chose to follow his instincts. His preference for characters that did not demean women, he believes, set him apart from the traditional hero mold.
The actor also expressed appreciation for how audiences perceive him today. “People tell me I was respectful to women, I was good to parents, I was good with kids, and I looked cute. Their kids can watch my films from 15 years ago,” he shared, highlighting the long-lasting impact of his film choices.
During the discussion, Siddharth reflected on how the industry often rewards aggressive portrayals of masculinity, whereas he was comfortable embracing vulnerability in his roles. He described his journey as a personal battle but remained content with the path he had chosen.
On the work front, Siddharth was last seen in Miss You, which received mixed reviews and performed moderately at the box office. He is now set to feature in Indian 3, starring Kamal Haasan, marking his next major cinematic venture.