Shreyas Talpade Shares Insights on His Latest Film Role and Future Ventures
Shreyas Talpade continues to captivate audiences with his versatile performances on screen. In 2025, the talented actor showcased his range by portraying diverse characters. He played former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Kangana Ranaut's political drama 'Emergency'. He also appeared as a notorious figure in the comedy 'Housefull 5'. Additionally, he took on the role of Jeetu in 'Baaghi 4' and the lively character Sikander in 'Single Salma'.
Upcoming Projects and Busy Schedule
The actor remains in the spotlight with several exciting projects on the horizon. He has confirmed his involvement in two major films. Talpade will star in the much-anticipated 'Golmaal 5'. He is also part of the ensemble cast for 'Welcome to the Jungle'. Both of these films are expected to wrap up shooting by 2026. Furthermore, the actor has signed on for Palash Muchhal's next directorial venture, which remains untitled.
Amid this packed schedule, ETimes recently sat down with Shreyas Talpade. The conversation focused primarily on his latest release, 'Single Salma'. During the interview, Talpade expressed genuine enthusiasm about his experience working on the film. He elaborated on his thought process behind creating the character Sikander. He also shared details about collaborating with co-star Huma Qureshi and other aspects of the production.
Bringing Sikander to Life in 'Single Salma'
When asked about portraying the loud and energetic character Sikander, Talpade explained his approach. "The character was written that way from the start," he said. "When writer Mudassar and director Nachiket narrated the script to me, they described him as intentionally over-the-top. This was based on his background and personality."
Talpade described Sikander as a character who sees himself as a bit of a film hero. "He has a filmy, exaggerated way about him. He is not exactly flamboyant, but he shows overenthusiasm for things. This makes sense because he works as a salesman. He has built everything in his life from scratch."
The actor highlighted Sikander's positive outlook. "He is genuinely happy with his life. He feels content after getting his sister married and settled. He enjoys seeing his family happy and his mother satisfied. So, he occupies a very content space."
Talpade noted that Sikander's excitement stems from unexpected good fortune. "He never imagined he would marry someone as beautiful as Salma. This makes him overexcited. He almost cannot believe it is happening. That excitement naturally leads to his exaggerated behavior."
Despite his loud exterior, Sikander possesses endearing qualities. "He cares deeply about his family and his sister. He extends that same care to Salma. When Salma tells him she needs to go to London, he supports her decision. He encourages her to go. This shows he has progressive thinking."
Talpade connected this to Sikander's profession. "As a salesman, he believes in progress. He believes in giving equal opportunities to everyone. That is just who he is." The actor admitted he immediately loved the character. "The moment they narrated it, I felt drawn to him. The sequences are nicely written. They are funny and emotional."
He described a key emotional moment. "Even when he feels cheated in a way, his response shows hurt. He says, 'I told you not to insult me.' But true to his nature, he forgives her in the end. He understands that her perspective also has validity. That defines his character."
Working with Huma Qureshi: A Fun Experience
Talpade shared his experience working with Huma Qureshi. "She is absolutely lovely," he said. "It is always a pleasure to work with actors who truly understand the script. They grasp their own character and the other characters as well. Most importantly, they understand the tone of the film, the scene, and each shot. This creates valuable give and take on set."
He credited his co-stars for enhancing his performance. "The reason audiences might find my character nice or endearing is because the other characters react to him in certain ways. Without Huma and the others giving those reactions, my actions would not make as much sense. Huma is a fantastic actress. But she is also a very naughty co-star."
When asked to elaborate on her naughtiness, Talpade laughed. "There were so many times she made me laugh from the other side of the set. This happened even during sequences where I was supposed to be angry with her. If people saw our outtakes, they would see me laughing repeatedly. She would do something that just cracked me up. I laugh very easily. My co-actors always know this is my weak point."
He recalled specific filming challenges. "Even in angry scenes, there were many shots where I ended up laughing. The director had to say, 'Sir, come on, get serious.' I would reply, 'I am trying! I am genuinely trying to get serious. But you might have to replace this co-star of mine. Otherwise, I won't be able to manage.'"
However, he noted this dynamic had benefits. "That playfulness helps break the ice. It makes the environment lighter. So, I had a great time working with Huma. This applies not only to her role as an actor but also as a producer."
Talpade praised Huma and Saqib Saleem as producers. "I feel they are excellent producers. They take great care of their actors. They pamper them and ensure everyone is comfortable. In that respect, we all had a wonderful experience making this film."
Reflections on the Character and Acting Philosophy
When questioned if Sikander represents a type of love that cinema is moving away from, Talpade offered a thoughtful response. "I do not know, to be very honest. I am not sure if cinema is moving away from or towards anything specific. I was simply trying to perform the role to the best of my ability. That is as simple as it gets. Sikander is that kind of person."
He emphasized his straightforward approach to acting. "While performing, I was not trying to make any grand statement. That is what I do with all my characters. They are just characters. You portray them. You perform them. You pretend to be that particular person. You act it out. When the director says 'pack up,' you step out of it. You go home as a normal person. That is exactly what happened with Sikander."
Finally, Talpade shared what the character taught him. "Sikandar taught me that sometimes it is okay to be a little over the top. He taught me the importance of being yourself. When you are not acting, you should not act. It is crucial to be authentic in any situation. That is what distinguishes you from everyone else. Just because everybody behaves in a particular way does not mean you have to follow. You can go against the tide. You can go against the flow. You can still be yourself. That is the most important lesson."
