SIDDHANT CHATURVEDI

HE'S THE PROVERBIAL OUTSIDER WHO'S DECLARED HIMSELF A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MANY HOPEFULS OUT THERE. THE YOUNG ACTOR LETS HELLO! IN ON HIS FILM PHILOSOPHY, TRAVERSING THE INDUSTRY SOLO, AND HOW HE'LL KNOW THAT HE'S FINALLY ARRIVED!

- PUJA TALWAR

Young, restless and, by his own admission, deeply ambitious and determined. He's B-Town's poster boy of cool. This chartered accountant gave up crunching numbers to win hearts at the box office. When he took over our screens rapping Sher Aaya Sher' in Gully Boy, it was nothing less than prophetic, a sign of times to come, the shots that announced the arrival of Siddhant Chaturvedi.

The 29-year-old's endearing appeal, irresistible charm and easy-going vibe made him a national heartthrob near instantaneously. Describing himself as a representative of the many hopefuls out there, he says, "If I could make it, you can, too," emphasising his conviction and utmost confidence in his craft as the recipe for his success.

While he exudes an aura of self-confidence, Siddhant retains a child-like curiosity that's evident when he reveals how often he Googles himself.

"I like to see whether 'Chaturvedi' follows when I type 'Siddhant'. Right now I come third in search engines. But the day I type 'Sid' and it suggests Siddhant Chaturvedi', I'll know I've arrived," he says, his innate sense of mischief-making an appearance.

Just four films old, Siddhant came into prominence as MC Sher in the 2019 Ranveer Singh-starrer Gully Boy. Although Bunty Aur Babli 2 received a lukewarm response, his portrayal of Zain, a man caught in a complicated liaison in Gehraiyaan (2021) with Deepika Padukone and Ananya Panday, and a ghostbuster in horror-comedy Phone Bhoot (2022) with Katrina Kaif and Ishaan Khatter won him accolades and appreciation as a talent to watch out for.