'I'm not offered anything here': 'Rang De Basanti' actor Siddharth says he isn't getting Bollywood offers
ETimes | August 3, 2026 3:39 PM CST
Actor Siddharth has opened up about his long gap from Hindi cinema and revealed why he has not been seen regularly in Bollywood over the years. The actor, who made his Hindi film debut with ' Rang De Basanti ' in 2006, said he has not been receiving the kind of roles that interest him. Speaking in a recent interview, Siddharth explained that he can only choose from the projects that are offered to him and claimed that meaningful opportunities in Bollywood have been missing.
Siddharth says Bollywood isn't offering him roles
During an interview with News18, Siddharth spoke candidly about the lack of offers from the Hindi film industry. He said he has not been approached for projects that align with the kind of work he wants to do. “I can only say yes or no to something that’s offered to me. I’m not offered anything here. Absolutely nothing! In the kind of work that I would like to do, I’m absolutely not offered anything."
Despite his absence from Bollywood, Siddharth made it clear that he does not view the situation with disappointment. Instead, he believes every opportunity arrives at the right time.
Reflects on 'Rang De Basanti' and new film
Looking back at his career, Siddharth spoke about Rang De Basanti, the film that introduced him to Hindi audiences. Two decades later, he is set to portray Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja in Operation Safed Sagar, a role he considers another significant milestone.
He said, “20 years ago, I got cast as Bhagat Singh and Karan Singhania in Rang De Basanti. 20 years later, I get cast as Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja in Operation Safed Sagar. I must have done something somewhere that the universe keeps picking me to give me this kind of stuff."
The actor added that he has never actively chased roles and prefers waiting for projects that truly excite him.
“I never went and asked for these roles. Someone somewhere really likes me. That’s why I can’t complain. I’m happy to say no to things or even wait for a decade or so for a project like Operation Safed Sagar. And it’s not like I’m not working. I’m working every year. I make films everywhere in some language or the other."
Spending time with Aditi Rao Hydari matters
Siddharth also shared that maintaining a work-life balance is important to him. He said he deliberately avoids working throughout the year because spending time with his wife, actor Aditi Rao Hydari, and his family is a priority.
“I’m someone who doesn’t like working too much. I like to work only for a certain amount of time in a year. I like being with my family and my wife for as much as I can. It’s about choosing one thing over the other."
He also said he is open to working in different film industries and is willing to go wherever interesting opportunities take him.
“If an industry, Hindi cinema, in this case, gives me something, I’ll do it. In the absence of that, somebody else will give me some other work that I would like to do, either in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam or Kannada. I’ll go to West Bengal, Punjab, America or England, I can go wherever work calls me. All I can say is that I’m really grateful."
'Operation Safed Sagar' holds a special place
Siddharth described 'Operation Safed Sagar' as one of the most meaningful experiences of his acting career. He thanked the filmmakers for thinking of him after such a long gap in Hindi cinema and said he prefers to look at the opportunity positively.
“I would like to do a positive spin on it. I keep telling the makers of Operation Safed Sagar, ‘Thank god, you guys thought of me.'"
He also acknowledged the support he received from his co-stars during the film's preparation. “Dia (Mirza) and Amrita (Bagchi) are the two women I’ve spent the most time with and taken the most energy from during the preparation and in the aftermath of this performance. I haven’t done anything to deserve any of it. The universe keeps giving me."
As Siddharth prepares for the release of 'Operation Safed Sagar', the expectations are high.
READ NEXT
-
Horoscope Today: Astrological prediction August 6, 2026 for all zodiac signs
-
India, Africa powerful force for global progress: Jaishankar
-
Darul Uloom Deoband urges students to avoid Kanwar Yatra routes
-
Watch: Trump's Helicopter Flies Within A Mile Of Passenger Aircraft, White House Reacts
-
Lewis Hall: David Ornstein weighs up Manchester United’s chances of signing Newcastle United star
