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Sidharth Malhotra is all set to grace the screen this weekend in political thriller ‘Aiyaary’, directed by Neeraj Pandey. He’ll be seen sharing the screen with Manoj Bajpayee and Rakul Preet in a role which he hasn’t been seen in before.

BizAsiaLive.com caught up with Malhotra ahead of the release of the film.

In your last few films, the audiences have seen you in a different light. In ‘Aiyaary’, you play an army man. What did it feel like playing this role?
Yes, this is my first time wearing a uniform on screen. I feel it changes your walk, first of all. It adds a personality to you. Army men are the real heroes. The whole nation knows and respects them. It definitely adds a sense of responsibility and I have personally learnt a lot about the armed forces during the shoot of this film. I’m really looking forward for people to see the film.

From the trailer, it seems your character has many shades. Would you say this is true?
Yes, very true. It’s not a straight and narrow or black and white character. I think that’s beauty of it. This character is very complex and eventually you will have to decide whether you think what he’s doing is right or wrong.

Manoj Bajpayee has been an appreciated part of the industry for some time. Did you feel any pressure of matching up to him?
We’ve all seen him doing some wonderful work over the years. It was more an excitement for me to work with such a prolific actor. I was excited to learn something through my scenes with him and there’s a tussle between me and him. I was definitely more excited that nervous but I was slight nervous.

You shot in London for the film. What’s your favourite memory from the city?
London is a city I’ve been to many times in the past but it’s the first time I’ve actually shot there. We spent a long time there. This was the first time I stayed close to Westfield mall. I think I pretty much explored most of it but I think there’s still more. It was a wonderful mall and area and there’s a gym close by which I really liked. So, those are my memories.

Neeraj Pandey is known for the twists in his films. How would you describe this affect in ‘Aiyaary’?
Oh, double-fold. It’ll impact you even more. It has a wonderful message. This is all thanks to Neeraj Pandey and his writing.

How would you sum up your ‘Aiyaary’ journey?
Enriching working with a new team and meeting new people. I think playing a character and doing a movie where at the end they are trying to make a difference to our society is something special. It is a relevant film.

Do you have a message for your fans?
Well, lots of love and big kiss to them all. I will see you at the movies with ‘Aiyaary’.

BizAsiaLive.com thanks Sidharth Malhotra for talking to us. ‘Aiyaary’ is slated for release on 16th February.