I hope to restart a new phase of my journey in Kollywood: Shiv Panditt

After making his return to Tamil cinema after a long gap with Nesippaya (2025), Shiv Panditt will next be seen in Tamil in Jason Sanjay’s Sigma . “My role in Sigma isn’t completely antagonistic or positive. It’s a character with a lot of grey shades, someone who is caught between the realms of good and evil,” Shiv begins.“Jason wanted someone whom the audience hadn’t seen in a while, and one of the reasons why he selected me was Divya Saasha’s (Sanjay’s sister) thrilled reaction upon hearing his plans to cast me!” the actor shares.‘THIS INDUSTRY REALLY TESTS YOUR STRENGTH’Reflecting on why he wasn’t seen in Tamil cinema after Leelai (2012), Shiv says that the film’s box office performance made things difficult for him here.“I felt Leelai wasn’t given a proper release. Although it has gathered appreciation over the years, the film had a lukewarm reception at the box office.

It was a setback for me, and I didn’t receive offers here,” he says, adding, “I was 14 years younger and less experienced back then. Cinema really tests your strength.”Contrary to his Tamil debut, his Hindi debut, Bejoy Nambiar’s Shaitan (2011), did well. This led to the actor gravitating more towards Hindi subjects. “I was also doing some work in the international market, so life simply took me in a different direction,” he adds.

‘I'M OPEN TO DIFFERENT SHADES OF ROLES NOW’Shiv believes he is a more evolved performer now. “I've garnered a lot more experience as a human being and as a performer. I'm open to different shades of roles now. There will be no parallels between the chocolate boy in Leelai and my role in Sigma . My re-entry into Tamil cinema is as a seasoned actor.”In his second innings, Shiv hopes to build a more enduring relationship with Tamil cinema. “My start in Kollywood was short and limited.

There are amazing actors and filmmakers here, and I hope to get a seat at the table and restart a new phase of my journey in Kollywood.”‘I HAD A CHOICE TO DO BULK WORK OR MEANINGFUL WORK; I CHOSE THE LATTER’The actor says he made a conscious decision early in his career to prioritise quality over quantity. “I had a choice to do bulk work or meaningful work, and I chose the latter. An actor is a result of the choices he's given. Out of the opportunities I got, I wanted to do projects that moved me, whether it was Akshay Kumar’s Boss (2013) or Shershaah (2021).

For me, acting goes beyond the pay cheque. One good film carries you for years because people don’t forget good cinema that easily.

”‘THERE’S MAGIC IN SEEING YOURSELF ON THE BIG SCREEN’While social media and short-form content are gaining popularity, Shiv maintains they don’t possess the magic of cinema halls. “I feel that reels are a time pass. People laugh and move on to the next reel. I personally don't like being all over social media. My focus has always been the big screen.

There's a pride and a magic in seeing yourself on the big screen.”Talking about how audience preferences continue to evolve, the actor shares, “Every two or three years, our industry goes through a dynamic shift. Good filmmakers have been making realistic and hard-hitting cinema. But the general audience, who go through a tonne of problems every day, want to get transported into a different realm while watching a film to forget about their issues.”