Sidharth Malhotra created a stir with his debut film Student of the Year. But with Hasee Toh Phasee, he is being tagged as the sensitive guy who knows how to pull on everyone's heartstrings

Sidharth Malhotra has yet to come to terms with the new development in his life - his Student of the Year (SOTY) tag has changed to the Hunk Of The Year label. But the handsome actor reveals that female attention makes him a bit awkward and discloses that his first director Karan Johar is like a possessive parent, who he hopes to make proud with Hasee Toh Phasee and Villain.

Since Karan Johar launched you with SOTY, does he always want to know what you are up to?
No. He lets us (Varun Dhawan, Alia Bhatt and me) make our own decisions and learn from our mistakes. But he is like a possessive parent.

Your Hasee Toh Phasee co-star Parineeti Chopra calls you 'mental' in real life as well. What have you done to earn this title?
You will have to ask Pari that. Initially, she thought that I didn't speak much, but I do have a sense of humour, which she came to know later, and was surprised. It is very easy to make her laugh.

Between Alia Bhatt's Shanaya in SOTY and Parineeti Chopra's Meeta in Hasee Toh Phasee, who is your ideal girl?
I would definitely not want to romance Parineeti but someone like Alia's character in SOTY. Parineeti's Meeta is very mental. But I bond with Pari a lot in real life.


Like Varun and Alia, Parineeti too has an industry connection and is more up-to-date about industry happenings. Do you feel that you lag behind?
No. After one film everybody is equal. It is up to us to be updated in the industry. It took me time to let the feeling of actually being an actor sink in but the scale and grandiosity of SOTY made me realise the impact of the film industry.

But nothing beats experience. I now have a sense of belonging. I know I am different but I have become more relaxed and aware in the way I behave on the sets. I want appreciation as an actor. I have done the good-looking guy act in SOTY. Now, I want to do different films.

Have your sensitive-guy looks ever backfired?
Yes. Sensitivity is very attractive to women and sometimes they look for much more. My sensitive looks have backfired a lot of times.

Are you playing the title role in Mohit Suri's Villain?
No. I am not playing the title role in Villain. It is a dark love story that talks about everybody's dark side, not just mine.


What is the most villainous thing you have done?
I have done some action with hardcore intensity in Mohit Suri's Villain.