Siddhant Issar Interview: Sanghaar, OTT Future & His Filmmaking Journey

By 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.Puneet Issar is best known for playing Duryodhana in the 1988 TV serial Mahabharat.

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.

Siddhant Issar is an Indian actor, writer and director, and the son of actor Puneet Issar. A third-generation film family member, he trained in theatre in India and London, wrote and directed the short film Sanghaar: The Massacre (2021), and played Tarakasur in Colors TV’s Shiv Shakti: Tap Tyag Tandav.

Siddhant Issar interview: key takeaways

• Siddhant comes from a third-generation film family and grew up around theatre.
• He trained in India and at the London School of Dramatic Arts.
• He wrote Sanghaar: The Massacre within 10 days, after being disturbed by the Palghar lynching.
• He expects smaller films to move to OTT while big spectacles stay in theatres.

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.

Early theatre foundation shaped Siddhant Issar’s craft

At 17–18, he performed in Mahabharata – An Epic Tale, where he portrayed young Duryodhana and even co-wrote the production with his father.He later played Shri Ram opposite his father’s Ravan in the stage production Jai Shri Ram Ramayan.

“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’s short film Sanghaar: The Massacre was born out of strong emotional and ideological response.

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

The film was inspired by the April 2020 Palghar mob lynching, in which two sadhus and their driver were killed in Palghar district, Maharashtra. Siddhant says he was disturbed that nobody spoke up about it.

“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.

Siddhant Issar on storytelling and representation in Indian cinema

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

When this interview was recorded in November 2020, Siddhant said Sanghaar was being discussed with OTT platforms. The 50-minute short film was eventually released on 16 April 2021 on the YouTube channel Showman Theatre Productions, with Puneet Issar, Satyajeet Puri and Gufi Paintal in the cast.

Siddhant has since played Tarakasur in Colors TV’s Shiv Shakti: Tap Tyag Tandav, and he features in the upcoming Hindi thriller Lohitaksha, whose teaser was released in October 2026.

Final thoughts on Siddhant Issar’s journey

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.Across this Siddhant Issar interview, one thing stays constant: he credits theatre, discipline and his family for the work he does today.

Siddhant Issar: frequently asked questions

Q1: Who is Siddhant Issar?
A: Siddhant Issar is an Indian actor, writer and director. He is the son of actor Puneet Issar and the grandson of film director Sudesh Issar.

Q2: What is Sanghaar: The Massacre?
A: It is a 50-minute Hindi short film written and directed by Siddhant Issar, inspired by the April 2020 Palghar mob lynching. It was released on YouTube on 16 April 2021.

Q3: Where did Siddhant Issar train as an actor?
A: According to this interview, he trained through theatre workshops and plays in India, including at Prithvi Theatre, and later at the London School of Dramatic Arts.

Q4: What is Siddhant Issar working on now?
A: He features in the upcoming Hindi psychological thriller Lohitaksha, whose teaser was released in October 2026. The release date is yet to be announced.

Read more stories on Siddhant Issar and more interviews on Life & More.