Siddharth P Malhotra on why directors must respect a producer's budget, ‘When you're wearing both hats’

Filmmaker Siddharth P. Malhotra has gradually built a body of work encompassing various genres, including family dramas and socially conscious stories, historical films, and now a commercial thriller. After the praise he received for ‘Maharaj’, he is now preparing for his next film, Ikka. He recently discussed filmmaking, how he entered the film industry, and why keeping a check on budgets matters just as much as telling a good story.In a conversation with The Free Press Journal about juggling the roles of producer and director, Malhotra explained that the two positions work in tandem rather than pulling against each other. “When you're wearing both hats, producer and director, they don't fight each other, they constantly keep each other in check. As a director, I know exactly what I need for every shot and every scene. I know which creative elements are absolutely non-negotiable because they're essential to the storytelling, and I also know where I can adapt without diluting the vision."According to him, filmmaking essentially comes down to striking a balance between creative vision and financial control. “Cinema is always a balance between ambition and practicality. The producer in me understands where every rupee is being spent and, more importantly, why it's being spent. I've always believed that films don't go wrong—budgets go wrong. It's the moral responsibility of a director to respect the producer's investment and ensure that the film is delivered within the agreed budget."Malhotra shared that his wife, Sapna, serves as producer on his films, which makes decision-making a shared process. “Fortunately, I don't have to do it alone. My wife, Sapna, is the producer, and we work as a team. There are conversations where I'll tell her, ‘These are the scenes or elements I simply cannot compromise on.' If there's pressure on the budget, we don't compromise on the vision—we find solutions elsewhere. Maybe it's another location, a different piece of equipment, a smarter schedule, or a more efficient way of executing the scene."He further explained that the goal is to tackle problems with creative thinking rather than emotional reactions. “Ultimately, filmmaking is about making a film that looks twice as expensive as what you've actually spent. That's the real challenge, and when you're able to achieve that, it's not just the director's victory or the producer's victory—it's the victory of the entire team."Reflecting on his early days, Malhotra revealed that filmmaking wasn't the first creative field he was drawn to. Music was a significant part of his younger years, and he had even put out an album with Universal Music. Eventually, though, he understood that his true calling was behind the camera, not in front of it. “I did, although I briefly toyed with the idea of acting. Like many people in cinema, I wondered if that was the path for me, but I realised very quickly that it wasn't where I belonged. Music was actually a much more serious pursuit. I'm a trained singer under the tutelage of Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan saab and Ustad Sultan Khan saab, and I'm a gandabandh shagird of both. I even released an album with Universal Music."He attributes his musical roots to influencing the way he approaches storytelling today. “Music has always been a very important part of my life and continues to influence the way I tell stories. But if I'm being honest, I always felt most at home behind the camera." Malhotra also touched on what he learned from watching some of the biggest names in Hindi cinema at work. He mentioned that observing his father, Sooraj Barjatya, Karan Johar and Aditya Chopra taught him more than just the craft of filmmaking, it also shaped his understanding of leadership and teamwork. “I genuinely enjoy bringing people together. As a producer and as a director, I believe one of my biggest strengths is working with people—finding the right talent, empowering writers, actors and technicians, and creating an environment where everyone can do their best work."He mentioned that although he hasn't ruled out acting entirely, his priority right now is establishing a substantial body of work as a filmmaker. “Behind the camera, you have the opportunity to tell many different stories across genres and generations. You're not limited to one character, you create entire worlds. As an actor, you never say never. Maybe someday I’ll play a father or a supporting character if the right role comes along. But acting requires a completely different mindset. Right now, my entire focus is on becoming a filmmaker and producer who leaves behind a body of work—a legacy of stories that people remember long after they’ve watched them. That’s the journey I’m committed to."