I wish more people should pay their taxes. I hate fake patriotism; I prefer practical things that make a difference. Paying taxes and helping people is much better than just standing when you hear the national anthem. I will be shuttling between shoot and promotion of forthcoming movie ‘Striker’ on Republic Day. I don’t single out 26 January or 15 August to feel patriotic. I do it every day.
TOI

You are coming up with your first solo Hindi release after Rang De Basanti. Why were you on such a long break?
When I look back and think of the impact Rang De Basanti had on Indian cinema it makes it very difficult to follow up with another film. A movie like RDB comes once in a lifetime. I had to make sure that the kind of film I was following up with was good.

Why choose a film like this?
I was looking for a specific kind of film to make my debut as a solo hero. And this was one film that really got me excited. It’s about the journey of a man, the ups and downs in his life and how he triumphs over it all. And I’m sure the story will strike a chord in the heart of the audience. You know, this is not a sports film, so I really don’t have to worry. It so happens that the character in the film plays carom and it forms an integral part of the storyline.

Your film is releasing at a time when biggies like Teen Patti and My Name is Khan will be fighting for top honours. Does that scare you?
Not at all. In fact the bigger the competition the better chance for me to prove that my film will be the biggest hit of the year. The year 2009 was not good for the Hindi film industry as many films bombed at the box office. I am hoping my film will be among the year’s biggest hits.

The Telugu film industry is known to pay its heroes huge sums of money, which in Bollywood is only commanded by the Khans, Akshay Kumar and Hrithik Roshan. Did you have to compromise on your price when you signed this Hindi film?
See, I’m as good as the money I’m paid. I never compromise on my price. Not for the love of anything. If the script is good, then the producer should have the money to sign me to act in the film. So far I haven’t come across a single film for which I would willingly slash my market rate.

But recession prompted a lot of big league stars to slash their rates.
Other big stars may have slashed their prices, but I did not. Thankfully, my film began before 2009, so I didn’t take a pay cut.

You are doing a fantasy flick with Shruti Haasan...
Yes. It will be a novel concept for the Indian audience. There aren’t many Hindi films made in this genre, so this one will be unique. If Magadheera can create BO history, then this film too will strike gold.

Quite a lot has been written about your affairs. (Soha Ali Khan and Shruti Haasan)...
I’m not the kind of person to be perturbed by what’s written about me and I don’t go scanning the newspaper to find news pieces about me. People say it’s all part of the deal, but as far as I am concerned, I don’t bother myself with all of this.

What next? Another self imposed exile from Bollywood?
Not at all. My fans will get to see me in more Hindi films this year and the coming year as well. I have signed two other Hindi projects and have a few Telugu films in my kitty. So there’s a lot of regional and Hindi cinema lined up.

TOI

He doesn’t look a day older than 22 and his dimples can make any girl go weak in the knees. Actor, playback singer, producer and screenplay writer Siddharth Narayan will forever be remembered as the charming Munna from Boys. That he has delivered one blockbuster after the other in Telugu, or that he impressed critics and managed to hold his own against Aamir Khan and an ensemble cast in Rang De Basanti are different matters all together.

Currently waiting with bated breath for the release of Chandan Arora’s Striker, Siddharth is a bundle of excitement and passion. Tell him that he has the reputation of being extremely choosy when it comes to signing on the dotted line and he says with a smile, “Yes, I am extremely selective when it comes to my films. After Rang De...I needed to do something that would showcase my talent on a higher platform. Striker did that for me. When the script was narrated to me, I was bowled over. I knew that I had to do the film. I’m glad because it is the most layered and author-backed role I’ve played so far.”

Talking about his role in the film, Siddharth says, “I play a carrom champion in the film. A lot of research and study went into the role of Suryakant. I spent three months living and meeting people in Malwani, a slum in Mumbai. I met nearly 300 carrom players and studied their mannerisms and technique. Carrom has two aspects — one is skill and the other is the ability to psyche your opponent out. The latter was the most challenging to learn.”

One thing that strikes you about Siddharth is his passion for cinema. And that is evident in the way he talks, which seems faster than the speed of lightning. Tell him that he seems to have waved goodbye to Tamil cinema and he says that it’s an unfair accusation. “It’s not like I have decided to consciously do only Telugu films. That being said, the reason you see me in so many Telugu projects is because I have the power to commission my own films. The freedom is immense. On a very honest note, I have not got any exciting offers from Kollywood. I’m still waiting,” he says.

After assisting director-par-excellence Mani Ratnam with Kannathil Muthamittal, Siddharth says that not a day goes by when he doesn’t think about directing a film. However, his priority right now, he says, is to establish himself as an actor. “The day I find a story that I feel needs to be told, I will go ahead and direct a film.”

There is one school of thought that believes in method acting and another that believes in spontaneity. Ask him which he prescribes to and pat comes the reply, “The most common misconception is that method actors are devoid of spontaneity. In fact, spontaneity is one of the most integral aspects of method acting. Anybody who thinks otherwise doesn’t know what they are talking about. To put it simply, there are only two types of acting — method and non-method. So technically, because I do research for my role and believe in studying and understanding the character and making him my alter ego, I am a method actor.”

Siddharth also has to his credit, the distinction of making good friend Yuvan Shankar Raja sing in Hindi for the first time. “If I say so myself, the music of Striker is one of the highlights of the film. Six brilliant composers have come together for the film and I’m really kicked that Yuvan has sung in Hindi for the first time. He is a bloody genius and has worked extremely hard for this film.”

With time enough only for one final question, we go ahead and ask the dapper actor to put rumours to rest. Is he, or is he not seeing Shruti Haasan? He listens patiently, measures his words and says with finality, “As of now, no. I’m not seeing Shruti Haasan. We are really good friends, but currently, I am single.” Can we hear a million women swoon and sigh in relief?

A film starring Siddharth in the lead has been launched by Sri Kirthi Combines, which will be directed by debutante director Rambabu. Rambabu, a close associate of Siddharth, is confident of delivering a hit. Something about Bava: the film will see the chocolate boy speaking in the Godavari diction!

Yes, and in fact, Siddhu has started practising speaking in the famous diction to get his accent and inflection right. In the film, the actor plays a naughty, happy-go-lucky guy, who just takes life as it comes. Brahmanandam, Ali, Ahuthi Prasad and Narsing Yadav are some of the important cast members.

A new heroine opposite Siddharth will be elected soon. Another important news about the film is that a popular hero-actor will play Siddharth's father in the film. The name has not yet been announced, as the makers have decided to keep it under the wraps for some more days.

May be, we will know it only once the film goes on the floor in February. Watch this space for more.

HIS case can be described as the mystery of the disappearing man. Why else would Siddharth disappear from Bollywood after the smashing success of his debut Rang De Basanti?

But he’s back with Striker, in which he plays a carrom champ and which was delayed due to the recession and the industry strike. He’s also sung for it. “It’s a high energy, romantic, commercial pop song with a raw edge. I have infused the song with my personality,” he says.
Explaining his hiatus after RDB, Siddharth says, “After RDB, my expectations from Hindi films were high. I wanted the right film to follow it. I was looking for a solo hero film so that I could make a mark for myself in Mumbai.”

But didn’t he rave about the ensemble cast concept before the release of RDB? “It was good in RDB. All my Telugu films have been solo hero projects. I didn’t like what I was offered in Bollywood. The follow-up to RDB couldn’t have been just a decent film. So, it’s been worth waiting for a film like Striker,” he states.

Siddharth hopes to focus on Bollywood now. “Right now, I’m busy making my mark as an actor. I’m praying and hoping Striker is a success. Fortunately, I have good relationships with film-makers in Mumbai. I’m looking at scripts right now. My next will definitely be a Hindi film and it’ll be a romantic one,” he assures.

Does he agree with the observation that male actors from the south don’t flourish up north? “Likewise, many Bollywood heroes haven’t succeeded in the south. My Hindi is as good as my Telugu. As long as I get good work in Bollywood, I can prove that theory wrong,” he maintains, adding, “Every industry has its own charm.”

Talk veers to his cult following in Germany. “More people in Germany and Poland watch my films than people in the north. They’re kind enough to follow me, although I haven’t had the chance to visit them yet. I want to do more work and be less bratty and lazy for them,” he smiles.