Siddhant Clarifies 'Struggle' Remark on Ananya Panday: 'People Have Started Calling Me Arrogant...'

Siddhant Chaturvedi, known for his straightforwardness, recently revisited his viral ‘struggle’ remark on Ananya Panday made during an Actors Roundtable, which had ignited conversations about his confidence versus arrogance. While promoting his upcoming action thriller Yudhra, Siddhant clarified the context behind his statement about his Gehraiyaan co-star Ananya.

In an interview with India Today, Siddhant candidly explained that his remark was misunderstood by many, leading some to label him as arrogant. “People have started calling me arrogant, especially after that one statement I made at the Actors Roundtable,” he said. However, Siddhant emphasised that it wasn’t arrogance, but confidence, that drove his words. “Honestly, it’s not arrogance, it’s just confidence. I feel it’s hard to survive in this industry if you don’t speak up for yourself. Sometimes, you need to stand up for what you believe, and that might come off as overconfidence to others.”

For those unfamiliar, Siddhant’s viral remark resurfaced as a spoof in Ananya’s latest show Call Me Bae, reigniting the discussion around it. Reflecting on the pressure of maintaining self-worth in an often cutthroat industry, Siddhant admitted that while he comes from a humble background and appreciates the love he’s received, he won’t shy away from speaking his mind. “If I don’t say what I feel, people might take that as me not knowing my value. It’s important to stay grounded but also to assert your worth,” he added.

He further touched on how the PR-driven landscape of Bollywood often eclipses talent, saying, “It’s the perception game right now which is damaging Bollywood. There’s no actual gravity or content, and you can manipulate that with your PR and multiple appearances.” According to Siddhant, this approach has diminished the novelty and credibility of performances.

On the professional front, Siddhant is gearing up for the release of Yudhra, directed by Ravi Udyawar and produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani. The film, slated for release on September 20, 2024, features an ensemble cast, including Malavika Mohanan, Raghav Juyal, Gajraj Rao, and more. Meanwhile, Ananya Panday’s Call Me Bae is already streaming on Prime Video, earning rave reviews for her performance.