Updated on: 19 October, 2026 06:45 PM IST |Kavya Agarwal
Every actor has that one role that changes how audiences see them. For Sidharth Malhotra, the journey from Student of the Year to Shershaah and beyond has been about stepping outside familiar territory and taking on new challenges. From winning hearts as Abhimanyu Singh in Student of the Year to stepping into gritty, action-packed and emotionally demanding roles, Sidharth Malhotra has come a long way in 14 years. As he completes 14 years in the film industry, we look back at seven career milestones that reveal the many shades of an actor who continues to evolve.
The dark era with "EK Villain"
In "Ek Villain", Sidharth stepped into Guru's world of anger, grief and revenge. The brooding character marked a noticeable departure from his polished debut, showing audiences a rougher, more emotionally driven side of the actor.
In "Ek Villain", Sidharth stepped into Guru's world of anger, grief and revenge. The brooding character marked a noticeable departure from his polished debut, showing audiences a rougher, more emotionally driven side of the actor.
Sidharth Malhotra's debut as a chocolate boy in "Student Of The Year"
Sidharth Malhotra made his acting debut as Abhimanyu Singh in Student of the Year (2012), winning attention with his youthful charm, athletic presence and easy screen appeal. This was the beginning of a journey that would take him far beyond the college corridors. And the rest is history!
Sidharth Malhotra made his acting debut as Abhimanyu Singh in Student of the Year (2012), winning attention with his youthful charm, athletic presence and easy screen appeal. This was the beginning of a journey that would take him far beyond the college corridors. And the rest is history!
"Shershaah" turned a career milestone into an emotional triumph
Playing Captain Vikram Batra in Shershaah became one of the defining chapters of Sidharth's career. His portrayal demanded physical discipline, emotional sincerity and the responsibility of bringing a real-life soldier's story to the screen. This role brought in a new image of Sid in his fans' hearts.
Playing Captain Vikram Batra in Shershaah became one of the defining chapters of Sidharth's career. His portrayal demanded physical discipline, emotional sincerity and the responsibility of bringing a real-life soldier's story to the screen. This role brought in a new image of Sid in his fans' hearts.
Mission Majnu proved he was ready to change his look and approach
Here, Sidharth played an undercover Indian intelligence agent operating in Pakistan. The role brought another shade to his repertoire, combining disguise, suspense and patriotic stakes with a character who had to navigate danger without always looking like a traditional action hero.
Here, Sidharth played an undercover Indian intelligence agent operating in Pakistan. The role brought another shade to his repertoire, combining disguise, suspense and patriotic stakes with a character who had to navigate danger without always looking like a traditional action hero.
The Vvaan takes his transformation into folklore-fantasy territory
Fourteen years after Student of the Year, Sidharth's "The Vvaan: Force of the Forest" brings him into a folklore-inspired fantasy thriller. It is a striking new chapter in a filmography that has moved from campus romance and dark revenge to real-life heroism and larger-than-life worlds.
Fourteen years after Student of the Year, Sidharth's "The Vvaan: Force of the Forest" brings him into a folklore-inspired fantasy thriller. It is a striking new chapter in a filmography that has moved from campus romance and dark revenge to real-life heroism and larger-than-life worlds.
