Siddhant Issar on Sanghaar, OTT Future & His Filmmaking Journey

SAURABH TANKHA

Films run deep in Siddhant Issar’s bloodline. His paternal grandfather was a director, while his maternal grandfather was a Punjabi film hero. His maternal uncle was a popular child artiste, and his father, Puneet Issar, remains a well-known name in Indian cinema and television.

As a third-generation actor, writer and director, Siddhant Issar says his journey into films was never accidental — it was instinctive.

“I have always been interested in films. I come from a third-generation film family from both sides. It is in my genes,” he shares.

However, he is quick to add that he was not a typical “industry kid” raised on film sets. Instead, his exposure came through observation and experience of the creative process from close quarters, which eventually shaped his decision to enter acting, writing and direction.

Early theatre foundation shaped Siddhant Issar’s craft

Siddhant Issar’s connection with performance began early in life. By class III, he was already acting, and later became active in school and college dramatics.

His formal theatre journey began with Ekjute workshops at the age of 11, followed by performances at Prithvi Theatre in multiple children’s plays. Over time, he participated in workshops at NSD and worked with theatre groups in Delhi.

At 17–18, he performed in Mahabharata – An Epic Tale, where he portrayed young Duryodhana and even co-wrote the production with his father.

“I know everything about theatre — lighting, sound, backstage, ticketing, acting and directing. I have been part of it all,” he says.

Training in India and London shaped his acting perspective

Siddhant also trained at the London School of Dramatic Arts, alongside continued theatre practice in India.

He notes a key difference in acting styles:

“In India, expression is often louder and stylised. In London, acting is more natural and realistic.”

He believes both approaches have value, but modern Indian cinema is gradually shifting toward realism, citing actors like Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Vijay Varma, and Divyendu Sharma as examples.

Why Siddhant Issar made Sanghaar – The Massacre

Siddhant’s upcoming film Sanghaar – The Massacre was born out of strong emotional and ideological response.

He recalls being disturbed by a sadhu lynching incident that went largely unaddressed in public discourse.

“I was disturbed nobody spoke up or did anything. So I decided someone should talk about it,” he explains.

Within 10 days, he had written the script and shared it with his father. The film was developed quickly, with financing arranged within a month.

He also states that his ideological perspective has been shaped by his family legacy over generations.

OTT vs cinema: Siddhant Issar’s perspective

Siddhant believes OTT platforms are transforming the entertainment ecosystem in India.

“OTT will grow and challenge cinema to some extent, but theatre will never die,” he says.

He explains that smaller films will increasingly shift to OTT, while big-budget spectacles will continue to bring audiences to theatres.

He compares the shift to Hollywood, where franchises like Avengers and Avatar still dominate theatres, while other content finds space on streaming platforms.

Strong views on storytelling and representation

Issar also expresses strong opinions on how Indian cinema has historically portrayed characters and narratives.

He believes Indian films have often followed a dominant narrative pattern over decades, particularly in character archetypes and representation.

“We are aware of all this and still live with it,” he says, referring to cinematic portrayals of religious and social identities.

His film aims to present a different perspective rooted in his worldview.

OTT release and future projects

Sanghaar – The Massacre is currently being negotiated with leading OTT platforms and will be announced officially soon.

Siddhant is also in discussions with a major Indian studio for a lead role in an upcoming feature film, with production expected to begin after lockdown delays.

Theatre, discipline and legacy remain his foundation

Despite moving across theatre, films and OTT, Siddhant credits discipline and hard work as the strongest lessons from his family.

“There is no substitute for hard work. You must stay focused and never give up,” he says.

He also acknowledges the strong influence of his mother, calling her the “nucleus of the family” and his emotional backbone.

Conclusion

With a legacy rooted in Indian cinema and a vision shaped by theatre and global training, Siddhant Issar is carving his own identity as a filmmaker and actor. Through Sanghaar – The Massacre, he steps into a more assertive storytelling space, blending personal conviction with cinematic expression.