The charismatic and effortlessly suave Sidharth Malhotra in a candid conversation with Aakanksha Naval-Shetye talks about the joys of new fatherhood, his signature sense of timeless style, his upcoming movies, and shares what he most loves about being in Dubai!
Bollywood’s leading charmer, Sidharth Malhotra continues to evolve both on and off the screen. From his breakout debut in Student of the Year to his recent string of powerful performances, Sidharth has carved a niche as an actor who blends style, substance, and sincerity in equal measure.
We meet him in Dubai, where he’s in town for a special event for Rayhaan Perfumes. In between his engagements, Sidharth sits down with us for an exclusive conversation. Exuding effortless charisma and that signature understated charm, it’s easy to see what makes him such a B-Town heartthrob! And as we settle in for a candid chat, the star opens up about his brand-new chapter of embracing fatherhood while gearing up for his new movies.
“I think it’s just the best feeling in the world. She is the main star now where I’m a supporting actor and trying to pretend and give my cues and dialogues from far off that I’m really helping and adding. So, she and the mother (actress, wife Kiara Advani) are doing great right now. I’m truly blessed!”
A self-confessed fitness enthusiast, Sidharth also shares his go-to grooming rituals, fashion essentials and talks about his favourite perfumes. From timeless tailoring to effortless streetwear, his personal style echoes his philosophy — comfort with class proving why he remains a trendsetter for men across the country. And fittingly, Dubai holds a special place in his heart! In a fun conversation, the actor shares all this and more. Excerpts
A big congratulations on the new addition to the family. How’s it been?
It’s amazing. I think it’s just the best feeling in the world. She is the main star now where I’m a supporting actor and trying to pretend and give my cues and dialogues from far off that I’m really helping and adding. So, she and the mother (actress, wife Kiara Advani) are doing great right now. I’m truly blessed!
“Dubai is an amazing city, always keeps evolving. What I love is that you try and check out everything that Dubai has to offer and the next trip you come back and like there’s something more, there’s always something new. So, I think this nature of Dubai and how it evolves every time you come is just amazing!”
You’re here in Dubai, what is the one thing you most love about it?
Oh, Dubai is an amazing city, always keeps evolving. What I love is that you try and check out everything that Dubai has to offer and the next trip you come back and like there’s something more, there’s always something new. So, I think this nature of Dubai and how it evolves every time you come is just amazing! Whether it’s the people, the food, the new kind of hotels that we see or places to visit, it’s got so much to offer. It’s amazing.
How do you kickstart your day?
For me it starts with health. I think you just take a breather, have a cup of warm water. And ghee, I actually have that in the morning and I love it. I have ghee empty stomach which I think is a very old desi nuskha. It’s great for the system, great for the skin. So, hot water and ghee is what I start my day with.
What’s the one fashion rule that you stick to and would advise and one that you never follow?
I think fashion is very individual, it’s very personal. For me, the fashion tip that I follow, it’s all about tailoring and fit, especially for the men. Know your body type, understand what kind of cuts and fits look good on you. If it doesn’t fit you right, don’t buy it or then get it tailored. Because that can really give you that sense of confidence when it’s just the right fit depending on the shape that you’re in.
As for the one fashion rule I always want to break. Actually on the contrary, there are no rules. So always make your own combinations, if you know a color that suits you. If you know a silhouette that you can mix and match. Like I would mix, you know, a linen fabric with shorts. Like I wore linen the other day with lowers… that were more like a cotton fabric at the bottom. Like I was wearing sweatpants with linen the other day. It just looked cool and it worked, the colors looked.
What’s the one advice you’d give to guys on their first date?
Well, I think it starts with grooming. The first date is the first impression of a girl seeing how you carry yourself whether it’s your outfit, whether it’s your hair, whether it’s the way you smell, definitely the way you smell. So, I think that’s where perfume comes in. If it’s a day date or if it’s a night date, choose a scent that you would like to impress someone. I would say the Rayhaan Aquatica which is more of the day perfume and I think it smells amazing and it puts you in a very happy, smiley, romantic mood. So, I’m wearing that in the day too.
Which is your all-time favorite?
It changes. It’s ever-evolving. I think at night, I would try the darker tones of Rayhaan – Obsidian. They all look amazing, but I think the Obsidian is what I would wear at night which is a much darker, woody, more intense kind of tone which is, I think, close to me.
What is your one go-to song for all seasons? Also do you like lip-sync or montage?
I think lip-sync. Lip-sync, love songs are what we grew up on. And I think personally as an actor, I love when we’re in the cinema and we’re going to see a hero sing. And sing songs and lyrics which mean something. And you’re communicating something. That’s what movies and lyrics and songs are all about before. And so I love that. Pardesiya is something that I love, my recent song that I’ve lip-synced. Sonu Nigamji‘s voice is just fabulous and we got some amazing shots with Janhvi (Kapoor) and me in Kerala.
What are your upcoming projects?
All my energies are currently into Vvan – Force of the Forest! It’s TVF and Balaji’s first collaboration. It’s TVF’s first directorial feature film. It’s an amazing folk thriller. A subject that I find very unique. You know, it’s got a hint of… I mean, it’s too early to speak about the film as such. It’s got me, Tamannaah, Maniesh Paul, Sunil Grover, a very amazing cast in it. So we’re kind of just about getting into the shooting of it. And hoping to release it next summer.