This story is from October 27, 2016

Siddharth Menon: My work canvas is not restricted to any one industry

Acor Siddharth Menon says he is open to working across several languages in Indian cinema.
Siddharth Menon: My work canvas is not restricted to any one industry
From his theatre days in Pune, to being Marathi cinema's poster boy, Siddharth Menon has dabbled in Tamil, Malayalam and Independent cinema in India. He will soon be seen in Writer-director Rahul V Chittella's short film 'Azaad' which also stars Sakshi Tanwar and is produced by Antara Banerjee and Naved Farooqui of Mastercut Pictures.
How did you happen to do 'Azaad'?
I met Rahul through his casting director.
Rahul briefly told me the story and it was very interesting. He gave me a scene to do which is the climax of 'Azaad' which is pretty intense. I did that and he was super happy. Rahul actually apologized for putting me through it, he was very kind. He liked the scene and that's how this journey began.
Were you familiar with Rahul and his work?
No. I didn't know anything about Rahul. When we met for the first time he told me that he works for Mira Nair and her production. Incidentally Mira Nair is presenting this film as well. That's when I came to know about it. When I got to know everything about Rahul, I was all: oh, he's pretty big, he's been associated with Mira Nair. I was intimidated. Rahul is so humble and chilled out, he made it very easy.
You have worked with your co actor Atul Kulkarni in Marathi cinema before this.

Yes. Rahul saw a lot of photos of me and Atul together and discovered a father and son there. Atul is nothing like my father. He is a very close friend of mine. I worked with him for a lot of Marathi productions together. That's one reason why Rahul put us together. This is something new because we have never done a father son equation. We have been everything else. Rahul thought this will work.
Do you personally relate to the story of 'Azaad'?
Not so deep. Both my parents right from the beginning had no issues with my choices. They are amazing. They were always like friends and supported me. I never misused the freedom. There was one point where my father and I couldn't interact, right around college. That sort of happened and there was this wall between us and we used to communicate through my mother. I could connect to it, because that's what happens in the movie. The mother is the connecting point and she's stuck. I think that's the only similarity and after I grew up, I talk more to my dad now. My dad is my hero and it was the exact opposite years ago. Unfortunately, in the movie, it ends at a tragic realization, when he comes to know that his father is great, and he's worthy and talented. This is the connect that I built upon as an actor.
You have done multiple language films but to us you are best known for your commercial Marathi cinema roles
When I choose a role, I don't look at the language. If the script is good, I will take it. Of course, the audience is different. Hindi films have a wider audience. Hindi and English are in both independent and commercial. Marathi industry for me has been commercial with big banners and actors involved. These parallels are going on forever. Of course I try hard to be a part of Hindi Cinema. Then, I am malayalee and I can talk in that language too. So my work canvas is not restricted to any one industry ' be it Bollywood or Marathi cinema. That sort of became an advantage for me. India is a country with so many languages and industries; I was fascinated with the idea of becoming a part of so many languages and good cinema, which would be so amazing. Fortunately I have met a lot of filmmakers and good actors with whom I got to work with and so far this has been my story.
How was working with Sakshi Tanwar
She's such a kind and soft spoken person, it takes you by surprise. Because of her reach to the audience due to TV, is phenomenal, it's a dream come true. I haven't seen much of TV all my life, but I knew about 'Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki'. I remember her interview on 'the first season of Koffe with Karan' with Smriti Irani. I saw this interview and she was much different from what she does on TV. When I met her, I had that impression. She's such an intelligent, well read person, so I had to get my act together. But she's such an easy person to work with. We bonded instantly. We had no hang ups. When you meet her and leave, you feel good about yourself and the world, that's the sort of person she is.
Are you familiar wth Mira Nair's work?
I just saw 'Queen of Katwe'. Every film of hers is truly different. It's about a different place, people, circumstances and struggle. You can't point out her genre. You will never know what she's going to make next. I used to be all mind blown when I watch her movies. Usually filmmakers have a style or a signature element to their films. But I think she doesn't have a particular style, she's true to the script and that's why each of her movie is unique. When I got to know she's involved in this production my question was when I am going to meet her. That is yet to happen.

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About the Author
Reza Noorani

A music and movie reviewer with Times of India and Bombay Times, my interests include stand-up comedy, sci-fi, nerding and binge watching shows related to any of the above mentioned topics.

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