Exclusive! Nikhil Siddhartha: Boycott call on Laal Singh Chaddha is a matter of freedom of speech, and it goes both ways

His film Karthikeya 2's smashing success at the box office may have come as a surpise to some, considering this bilingual project had to battle it out with big-banner films such as Laal Singh Chaddha and Raksha Bandhan, but the film's lead actor Nikhil Siddhartha was told he would succeed. "This movie is going to be a super hit," Anupam Kher told Siddhartha even before the release of the film, as informed by the actor himself. In an exclusive interview with us—Nikhil was in New Delhi for a quick promotional event and a press show—the actor explained why he chooses to call his latest flick a historical film and not a mythological one, shared his thoughts on that 'funny' term called pan-India and the Bollywood movie he had watched on loop as a child. 

Excerpts from our chat with the star:

30 minutes into the film, and your audience is already screaming and chanting ‘Kartik… Kartik…’ (titular character). How do you react to this kind of love and acceptance for Karthikeya 2 from the audience, especially in New Delhi?

(Smiles!) We had no idea that Karthikeya 2 was going to be released on this day. We made this film with honesty, and I am so happy that the public has taken it to their hearts. Everybody is owning the film and promoting it themselves because we have done no promotions in the Hindi belt but then, we saw the numbers and it is increasing every day (chuckles!). There’s been a 300-times to 400-times increase (in the box office collection); we started with just 50 theatres and now we have 2, 500 theatres for Janmashtami. This is an unbelievable thing, and I am so happy and grateful. I am also grateful to the media for pushing this film and taking it to the next level.

A lot of conversations around Karthikeya 2’s success is related to the audience’s observation of it being a pan-India film. Your thoughts on that?

No, no! I don’t really agree with that… I mean the term pan-India, it sounds funny. I believe in multilingual films because some films are made for a wider audience, and it connects with a lot of people. And this movie is about Lord Krishna, and we are talking about the Indian culture (in the film), which is common. So, this film must reach a maximum number of people; we are releasing this film in Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi and we have this movie releasing in Nepal and we have this movie releasing even in Arabic. Everywhere, we have been receiving the same response.  Especially in South India, Karthikeya 2 has become a blockbuster in three days and it has broken all the breakable marks and we have recovered the film’s budget in two days. So, this madness is fantastic! But, we didn’t expect that people across North India, especially the Hindi-speaking region, are going to own this film and I can see crowds cheering the movie everywhere: in Chandigarh, Junagarh, in Jaipur, in Delhi. So, I am very excited, and I hope this movie is watched by everybody.

You have always maintained that the Karthikeya franchise is a work of ‘history’ and not ‘mythology’. Elaborate on that, please…

Yes, but you see, there have been some untold truths about our culture and people keep talking about Ramayana and Mahabharata as myths, which they aren’t. I, personally, do not believe in (them being myths). I mean, we have so many proofs. The Rama Setu that is there, I mean we can see (historical evidence) on Google Maps. But, people don’t want to believe it. I mean, many people do believe it but there are some historians who deny that. When we went to Dwarka to shoot for the film, we had scuba divers showing us real parts of Dwarka Nagri which were there and had existed. So, how can you deny this? So, we decided to make a movie about this—debunking the myths—and I have a dialogue in the movie, which goes like this: “They are not just Gods, but also our ancestors.” So, I am sure, when you see the climax of the movie you will know. So, that’s what moved me. And I think that is why people are connecting so much to the movie today.

In the last few years, you have evolved as one of the most bankable stars in Telugu cinema. Of course, you had a rough patch but managed to bounce back and haven’t looked back since. Your fans, too, seem to trust in you as an actor a lot. What do you think has been working for you all along, especially as someone who’s not part of the film dynasty?

So, I realised one thing is that I do not have a filmy background because my parents are from an educational background, and they do not have anything to do with films. So, I decided that the only way I can make a mark for myself is by choosing the right kind of scripts. And there is an interview of Shah Rukh Khan ji that I was really in love with—Oh, by the way, I am a big fan of Shah Rukh Khan sir (blushes!) —and in the interview he said that you are not a star because of the acting you do, you are a star because of the scripts you select. So, from then on, I turned a corner and started doing unique films and not just action or love. I do those films, too, but I mix them up in the right way and I think this is a fantasy film (referring to Karthikeya 2). It is something unique and different concept, so that’s my USP!

You have mentioned Shah Rukh Khan, and now your movie is doing so well across all regions, tell us what kind of Bollywood movies do you watch and have shaped you up as an actor?

One of my forever favourite Bollywood films is Andaz Apna Apna (1994) and when I was a kid, as in when I was three or four years old, I used to watch Sholay (1975) every day. If I wouldn’t watch Sholay, I wouldn’t eat. So, Amitabh Bachchan ji is one of my favourite actors and later on, I think Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) left a huge mark on me. And, of course, Andaz Apna Apna, too.

With Karthikeya 2 being a theatrical release, let’s talk about the other theatrical releases that aren’t doing well owing to boycott calls on social media, among other factors, what do you have to say about that? And do you think it is justified?

See, there are many factors at play. It’s not a simple reason. So, I think freedom of speech goes both ways. And I think, people, who are on social media, are venting out their things have also to be respected. I also think that trends come and go but good-content films always stay. And I think making the right content is important and keeping the audience’ sensibilities in mind is also important. That is what I try to do. Irrespective of any trend, I do not want to comment on anything because I do not have in-depth details because I am busy promoting this film Karthikeya 2, but if you make good content then people are going to love you. And we have to respect people’s freedom of speech. India is a free country (smiles!)

And how was it working with a veteran like Anupam Kher?

Anupam ji has got his aura. When he walked into the set, I got very scared. I was like ‘Oh my God!’ I mean like he has been working in the industry for the last 40 years and I thought if he was going to treat us differently. But, he was so friendly: he was hugging us, and that crucial scene of him that you see in the movie has created such an impact. And after The Kashmir Files—we know that he is in the 300-crore league now (referring to box office numbers—so working with a superstar like Anupam ji was a privilege. He has taken this movie to his heart and he is one of the first audiences to give the film a positive review. He said, “This movie is going to be a super hit.” He, himself, is promoting it and organising a show for all his friends and family in Mumbai. So, it’s a huge thing for me (smiles!)

So, when are we going to see you in a Bollywood film then?

(Laughs!)… Oh, I believe content-driven films, wherever they are made, will be watched. So, I think, that barrier between Bollywood and Tollywood is now gone. After RRR, KGF and Baahubali, and even Hindi films being dubbed in Telugu are being watched. Dangal was watched so much. And recently, The Kashmir Files was watched in all the languages. So that barrier is breaking, and it’s just Indian cinema now. And I am very happy that all actors are getting opportunities.