Actor Siddhant Issar, known for his roles in shows such as Shaitani Rasmein, Shiv Shakti – Tap Tyaag Tandav, and Shrimad Ramayan, credits much of his approach to acting to his father, veteran actor Puneet Issar. On Father's Day, Siddhant reflected on the lessons he has inherited from the actor, best known for playing Duryodhan in B.R. Chopra's Mahabharat.
The Handwriting Habit
One habit that has stayed with Siddhant throughout his career is writing his dialogues by hand. “My dad taught me this, and it has become one of the most important parts of my process,” he says. “He always told me that when you write your dialogues, you don't just read them, you learn them.”
Despite the shift to digital scripts and technology, Siddhant continues to maintain a journal where he writes every line in his own handwriting. “I write the dialogues, add my own punctuation, and internalise them. By the time I face the camera, they are no longer just words on a page. They become my breath, expressions, voice, and body. The connection between the hand and the brain is something special, and that's a lesson I learned from my father.”
Philosophy of Playful Acting
Beyond technique, Puneet Issar also shaped Siddhant's philosophy towards acting. “My father always told me that acting should be enjoyable. Like a child playing in the rain or getting into the mud, it should be playful,” Siddhant says. “You should work hard, but it shouldn't feel painful. Enjoy creating a backstory, enjoy trying different ways to perform a scene, and don't get attached to the outcome.”
Childhood Memories and Life Lessons
One of Siddhant's most cherished childhood memories comes from the wrestling sessions he shared with his father. “As a child, I thought my father was the strongest man in the world. We used to wrestle all the time, and I could never beat him. Then one day, when I was about five years old, I pinned him down and won. I was thrilled,” he recalls.
Only years later did he realise what had happened. “My father was letting me win. He wanted me to feel strong and believe in myself. That lesson stayed with me.”
Looking to the Future
Looking ahead, Siddhant hopes to pass that feeling on to his own children someday. “Whenever I become a father, I want to do the same. I want my child to feel strong, confident, and capable. That's one of the greatest gifts a father can give.”
