Rizwann Sikander
, who has explored various mediums throughout his career, is now excited about his upcoming film
Sarkari Baccha
, in which he plays the parallel lead, Gullu Pandey. He describes his character as a proud government employee, a Dangal champion, and a strong-willed individual in his town. He says, “Gullu’s biggest struggle is that the girl he loves is interested in someone else, and instead of helping him, his father is preoccupied with finding a wife for himself. It’s a chaotic love story where Gullu tackles these challenges while holding his head high. I had just an hour to decide on the role, but once I heard the story, I packed my bags in 10 minutes and started prepping for the character on my way to the shoot. It’s a fun, mass entertainer.”
Having worked across television, modelling, and cinema, the actor reflects on how each medium has contributed to his growth as an artiste. He shares, “Performance has always been my top priority. Each medium has its unique nuances, and I’ve been fortunate to explore them all. Acting, for me, is all about connecting with the character’s soul. Whether it’s in commercials, short films, or feature films, once you truly understand a role, the performance flows naturally. That’s what makes acting so powerful and liberating.”
Rizwann’s love for cinema began at a young age, growing up surrounded by films thanks to his father, who ran a video library with over 4,000 titles. He recalls, “My father once had a film offer but chose family over acting. Determined to see his children in the industry, he moved us to Mumbai. I grew up immersed in cinema, and my father’s library deeply influenced me. Today, I have a collection of over 8,000 DVDs, spanning various genres and cultures.”
His sister, actress Shama Sikander, has also played a significant role in shaping his artistic journey. “Watching Shama’s career unfold taught me filmmaking from the ground up. At 14 or 15, I worked as an assistant on
Dhund: The Fog
. Watching Irrfan Khan sir’s dedication, even while ill, showed me what true passion looks like. The industry has taught me that the soul of a character defines a performance. Like a mother’s cooking, acting requires depth and authenticity. While filmmaking is demanding, my heart lies in bringing characters to life with sincerity and commitment,” he concludes.
