Siddharth Shukla of Balika Vadhu teleserial fame who made his Bollywood debut in Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania (2014) featuring alongside Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt, is in Bhubaneswar to shoot his upcoming music video Zeena Jaroori Hai.
Siddharth who had won the Golden Petal Awards in the category of Most Lokpriye Face two times has also received the Stardust Award for Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania. The actor shares his artistic journey with Orissa POST. Excerpts:
You are working with an Odia producer for the first time.
He is an experienced producer, although it is his first venture in Bollywood. I feel honoured to be selected for his project. I will try my best to make the music video successful.
You had worked with Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt in Humpty Sharma… How did you get the opportunity?
I was a participant in dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa and director Karan Johar was the judge. He decided to crop me for his film. It was very exciting to work with such talented actors.
You were crowned the winner of celebrity show Khatron Ke Khiladi in 2016. How was the experience?
I was very happy when I held the trophy. I wanted to be part of this show for a long time. I love to perform daredevilry. I thought, the show was actually made for me.
You are trained in interior designing. How come you ended up in acting?
Frankly, I was very confused till I was 24. I didn’t plan anything. Afterwards, I started taking my life seriously. I had interest in interior designing but I didn’t want an arm chair job. A time came, when I started modelling and appeared in advertisements. Eventually, I started liking the field and now I am here. I love sports but I never thought of making it a career.
After Balika Vadhu, there was a gap of two years. Didn’t you get good opportunities?
Well, Balika Vadhu serial was telecast for a long time. Viewers might have become tired of watching me (chuckle). So, I decided to take a break.
There was a complaint about your behaviour on the shooting set of Dil Se Dil Tak. Would you like to comment on that?
There was nothing like that. Sometimes, people write gossip. I don’t take such issues seriously.
What do you think about marriage?
I do respect marriage. I am yet to find a girl. Let’s see in the future.
What kind of role you love to perform on the screen?
Any role, I will perform any character which is offered to me.
You love travelling. Which is you favorite place?
I love Europe, Vietnam. In India, I find every state, every place fascinating to travel.
It seems you have many fans in Vietnam. You were invited there three times. Do you know Vietnamese?
I tried to learn the language but it’s very difficult to speak. So, I abandoned learning.
Do you think Balika Vadhu kind of serials are not made these days?
No, nothing like that. Every serial has a storyline with beautiful concept. However, at the end, they put some masala in tele-films which may annoy some viewers.
You have worked for small screen as well as for big screen. Where are you comfortable?
See, I don’t believe in small or big screen. I love to work for both the screens. Whenever I get an opportunity, I try to show my talent. Most importantly, I act to connect with people.
What’s your opinion about web series? Would you like to be part of the web series if you get a chance?
Web series is good. It’s a new platform and people like it. Yes, I will work in it if I get an opportunity.
By Dipchand Bihari
