Playing for Keeps

From small-town dreams to big screen depth, Siddhant Chaturvedi opens up about evolution, inspiration, peace of mind, and his toughest role yet

- Photographs KEEGAN CRASTO/PUBLIC BUTTER Fashion Director PASHAM ALWANI Words NIKITA SAWANT

Siddhant Chaturvedi is all about staying grounded while owning every role he steps into, getting into character like it's second nature to him. From playing the fierce yet relatable MC Sher in Gully Boy to diving deep into the complexities of his upcoming character in Dhadak 2, Chaturvedi's journey is one of steady growth and honest introspection. He doesn't see acting as a game of “evolution” but rather as a continuous process of adapting – both on and off-screen. Whether it's choosing scripts that challenge him or keeping things simple with a no-fuss style, he remains true to who he is: Someone who values authenticity, normalcy, and peace of mind above all else.

Off-screen, he's as chill as they come. He loves to read, travel, spend time with family, and play cricket with his squad. Ask him about his inspirations, and you'll get a mix that features the acting legends of cinema and innovative storytellers who are putting India on the world map. From our conversation with him, it's clear that Chaturvedi isn't just serious about his craft, but he's supporting it by living his life in the most genuine way possible.

From being MC Sher to now, Chaturvedi sure has evolved as an actor, but his definition of evolution isn't that simple. He tells us, "For me to judge is very difficult because I think that's something that needs to be grasped by the audience and critics. I would want to say that I've evolved, but I think acting is very subjective. You evolve as a person - I don't believe you evolve as an actor."