Rajeev Siddhartha, a seasoned actor in the Indian film and television industry, is enjoying a career-high with his recent projects Love Sitara and Honeymoon Photographer. After more than a decade in the field, Siddhartha believes that he’s finally gaining the recognition he deserves, thanks to forward-thinking filmmakers like Prakash Jha who chose him for impactful stories such as Aashram. However, the road to success has not been a walk in the park for him. Siddhartha openly acknowledges the challenges he has faced, including the occasional favoritism that benefits well-connected individuals over skilled actors like himself. Despite these ups and downs, he remains unfazed. “I’ve always known that was part of the game. So, I don’t hold it too hard,” the actor comments with a pragmatic outlook.
Love Sitara, helmed by director Vandana Kataria, offers a slice-of-life narrative that intertwines relatable drama with the complexities of dysfunctional families. For this role, Siddhartha underwent months of preparation to perfect the culinary skills required for his character, who works as a chef. Yet, mastering the technical aspects of cooking was only the beginning. The emotional depth and turmoil surrounding his character demanded a much greater investment of time and effort.
Interestingly, the themes within the movie mirror some of Siddhartha’s real-life experiences, though with a stark contrast. His character in Love Sitara often faces criticism for not adopting a stereotypical masculine role in his profession. Strikingly, this was not the case for Siddhartha growing up. “I have been fortunate to grow up in a family where stereotypical patriarchy was never forced on me,” he shares. Unlike his on-screen persona, he never felt compelled to showcase traditional masculinity. The credit, he insists, goes to the supportive environment created by his parents and immediate social circle. “I am not blind; it obviously exists in society. And people have had to suffer because of it. In some families, women are dominated by weak men because they have been conditioned to behave in a certain way,” Siddhartha notes, acknowledging the broader social issues that his character’s struggles represent.
These real-life experiences have undoubtedly influenced the types of roles Siddhartha attracts. He believes his personal authenticity helps him land characters that are secure and confident, reflective of his own demeanor. “I feel I attract these kinds of roles because I am built that way in real life too,” the actor elaborates, adding that insecurity often leads to labeling and categorization in both the reel and real world.
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While Love Sitara showcases Siddhartha in a compassionate, “green flag” role, his character in Honeymoon Photographer stands in sharp contrast. In this thrilling narrative, Siddhartha delves into the darker side of human nature, playing the antagonist. “I had great fun playing the bad guy,” he admits, describing the role as liberating. The opportunity to break things and engage in physical confrontations provided a refreshing change from his usual roles, allowing him to explore a different dimension of his acting prowess.
With more than a decade in the industry, Rajeev Siddhartha feels he is finally getting his due, “especially since filmmakers like Prakash Jha signed me for stories like Aashram.” While he has felt welcomed, the actor admits that the journey has not been easy. “Of course, there are issues where you contend against the tide—sometimes individuals with significant backing or connections get the roles you know you could excel in, but I’ve always known that’s part of the game. So, I don’t let it weigh me down,” affirms the actor, who has enjoyed a remarkable week with the release of both Love Sitara and Honeymoon Photographer.
Directed by Vandana Kataria, Love Sitara unfolds as a straightforward slice-of-life narrative enriched with relatable drama stemming from dysfunctional family dynamics. Siddhartha dedicated months honing his culinary skills for his role as a chef but found understanding the emotional nuances of his character far more challenging. His on-screen persona is often upbraided for not conforming to traditional masculine roles for his livelihood. Yet, Siddhartha’s real life has been a different story. He has been fortunate to grow up in a family where stereotypical patriarchy was never enforced. “I never felt the need to prove my manliness,” he shares candidly, crediting his upbringing for his secure sense of identity.
And people have had to suffer because of it. In some families, women are dominated by insecure men who have been conditioned to behave in a certain way. Siddhartha acknowledges this societal reality, though he personally did not have to face it. The actor reveals that the secure and confident people in his life have influenced the types of roles he attracts, believing that his authentic self resonates with similar characters.
While his role in Love Sitara portrays him as a beacon of virtues, Siddhartha’s character in Honeymoon Photographer allows him to explore darker, more antagonistic traits. “I had great fun playing the bad guy,” he says, describing the role as a liberating experience that offered him the rare opportunity to break things and be physically aggressive on screen.
In conclusion, Rajeev Siddhartha’s latest projects—Love Sitara and Honeymoon Photographer—demonstrate his considerable range as an actor, showcasing his ability to seamlessly transition from a nurturing chef to a menacing antagonist. Through these roles, he continues to break stereotypes and embrace the versatility that defines his illustrious journey in the entertainment world.
