Siddharth shared candid insights about his career choices during a conversation with singer-author Vidya Rao, his mother-in-law, at a literary festival held in Hyderabad recently. Addressing the evolving discourse around feminism, the actor, who tied the knot with Aditi Rao Hydari last year, opened up on the challenges he faced for choosing to stand up for gender equality.

“Firstly, I must confess I not only identify as a feminist, but I also identify as a feminist ally. And I’ve done this my whole life. We live in a world where the word feminism has become a trigger word. In fact, it’s become an abuse,” remarked the Rang De Basanti actor.

Reflecting on how his refusal to take up roles that glorified aggression and misogyny may have affected his box office standing, he revealed, “I used to get scripts where I’m slapping women, doing item songs, pinching somebody’s navel, telling a woman what she should do, where she should go, etc. I rejected them outright. Of course, I might be a far bigger movie star to day if I was differently wired.”

For him, success isn’t just about stardom, but about staying true to his beliefs. “Today, people tell me I was respectful to women, I was good to parents, I was good with kids, and I looked cute. Their kids can watch my films from 15 years ago,” he added, stating that such appreciation feels more fulfilling than charting at the box office.