Sidharth Malhotra

Sidharth Malhotra is an Indian actor who has been a fixture in Hindi cinema since his debut in 2012. He began as a fashion model, walked runways in Paris, Milan, and New York, and then pivoted to film, working as an assistant director on Karan Johar's My Name Is Khan before stepping in front of the camera. His debut in Student of the Year (2012) earned him a Filmfare nomination for Best Male Debut, and he followed with hits like Hasee Toh Phasee (2014), Ek Villain (2014), and Kapoor & Sons (2016). After a rough patch with A Gentleman, Ittefaq (both 2017), and Aiyaary (2018), he rebounded with a celebrated turn as Captain Vikram Batra in Shershaah (2021), which brought another Filmfare nomination, this time for Best Actor. He continued with Mission Majnu (2023) and the romantic comedy Param Sundari (2025). Malhotra has also appeared on Forbes India's Celebrity 100 list from 2016 to 2018. Off screen, he is married to actress Kiara Advani, and the couple welcomed their daughter, Saraayah, in 2024. [edit]

Born in Delhi on January 16, 1985, Sidharth Malhotra grew up in a Punjabi family with his father Sunil, a former merchant navy captain, his mother Rimma, a homemaker, and his elder brother Harshad, who works in banking. His father is Hindu and his mother Sikh, and Malhotra grew up absorbing both faiths, hearing Ramayana stories from his paternal grandmother while also visiting Delhi's Gurdwara Bangla Sahib with his mother. He attended Don Bosco School and Birla Vidya Niketan, then went to Shaheed Bhagat Singh College, where he began taking modeling assignments to earn extra cash. A model coordinator spotted him, and modeling soon became his full-time job. He won the Mr. Gujarat pageant in 2007, placed second runner-up in the Gladrags Mega-model and Manhunt 2007, and was named Gladrags Face of the Year. That led to international runway work in Paris, Milan, and New York, including a show for Roberto Cavalli. The transition to acting came when he joined Karan Johar's team as an assistant director on My Name Is Khan (2010), a job that convinced him he wanted to be in front of the camera. [edit]

Malhotra's acting debut came in 2012 with Karan Johar's teen drama Student of the Year, alongside Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan. The film was a commercial success and earned him a Filmfare nomination for Best Male Debut. He followed with the romantic comedy Hasee Toh Phasee (2014), the thriller Ek Villain (2014), and the family drama Kapoor & Sons (2016). For Brothers (2015), he packed on 7-8 kilos in two months to play a boxer, then shed it quickly for his next project. A string of underperforming films, including A Gentleman and Ittefaq (both 2017) and Aiyaary (2018), slowed his momentum, though those titles have since found niche audiences. His career turned with Shershaah (2021), where he played Captain Vikram Batra in the war biopic; the performance earned him a Filmfare Best Actor nomination and several other honors. He then starred as a RAW agent in Mission Majnu (2023) on Netflix and in the romantic comedy Param Sundari (2025), which was a commercial hit. Malhotra has also been a brand ambassador for Oppo, Pepe Jeans, Metro Shoes, and MAA Earth, and appeared on Forbes India's Celebrity 100 list from 2016 to 2018. [edit]

Malhotra is often described as one of Bollywood's most charming leading men, with a disciplined fitness regimen and a style that has evolved from boy-next-door to polished star. He is known for his warm, approachable demeanor in interviews and on social media, where he engages with fans regularly. His transformation from a Delhi boy with dreams to a leading actor has been widely celebrated. While he doesn't have a specific fandom name, his fans are active on Instagram and Twitter, tracking his projects and personal milestones. [edit]

Sidharth Malhotra stands as a defining figure in contemporary Hindi cinema, currently holding the position of the 77th most famous person in Bollywood according to the latest cycle of the iFANN Global Fame Rankings. This placement reflects a steady trajectory of influence that has grown alongside his career evolution from a runway model to a leading man capable of carrying massive blockbusters. While he commands a massive digital following with millions of engaged supporters on Instagram and X, his fanbase operates without a single codified official name. Instead, they identify simply as "Sidharth Malhotra Fans" or "SM Fans," a loose but fiercely loyal community known for organizing birthday tributes featuring billboards in Mumbai and Delhi. Unlike some industry peers who rely on aggressive territorialism, this group is characterized by a respectful dynamic, often mobilizing quickly for streaming campaigns while celebrating their idol's reputation for humility. The narrative surrounding him emphasizes "strength without ego," a sentiment fans champion after witnessing his dignified handling of personal challenges and public controversies. Recent moments, such as his vocal support for his wife Kiara Advani during the release of her film Toxic, have further cemented his status as a supportive partner in the public eye. These actions resonate deeply with a generation of viewers who value integrity over chaos, ensuring his relevance remains sharp even as the industry shifts.[edit]

Malhotra is a certified scuba diver and an avid animal lover who has actively supported organizations like PETA India and Wildlife SOS. He holds the distinction of being the first man to appear twice on the cover of Men's Health India. On set, he is known to sketch and doodle during breaks, finding creative outlets between takes. Reflecting his family background, he identifies with both Hinduism and Sikhism. In a moment of relatable humor, he once joked that his father's WhatsApp forwards never stop, noting that he has archived the chat specifically to avoid constant notifications. Beyond these facts, a persistent story among casual observers claims he served as a Merchant Navy Captain before acting; this is folklore born from his realistic portrayal in Ek Villain Returns and his genuine interest in the maritime field, though he was actually a fashion model and assistant director prior to his debut. Another verified chapter in his modern lore involves August 2026, when he publicly championed his wife Kiara Advani amidst backlash for her film Toxic, calling it one of her best works and drawing praise for his supportive stance. Additionally, his commercial longevity was recognized in 2026 when he was named the IAA Brand Endorser of the Year, marking a significant milestone in his relationship with the advertising world.[edit]

Malhotra's father, Sunil, was a captain in the Merchant Navy, and his mother, Rimma, is a homemaker. He has one elder brother, Harshad, who works in banking. Fashion designer Manish Malhotra is his uncle. Growing up in a mixed-faith household, he was exposed to both Hindu and Sikh traditions. He married actress Kiara Advani on February 7, 2023, and the couple welcomed their daughter, Saraayah, in 2024. The family splits time between their home in Mumbai and visits to Delhi. [edit]

Karan Johar gave Malhotra his first break, first as an assistant director and then as the lead in Student of the Year. His wife Kiara Advani co-starred with him in Shershaah. He made his debut alongside Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan, and his uncle is fashion designer Manish Malhotra. [edit]

Malhotra's first high-profile relationship was with his Student of the Year co-star Alia Bhatt. The pair were publicly rumored to be dating from around 2012 to 2016, though neither confirmed it. He then met Kiara Advani on the set of Shershaah, and they began dating around 2019. They married on February 7, 2023, in a private ceremony in Jaisalmer, and welcomed their daughter Saraayah in 2024. As of 2026, Malhotra is married to Kiara Advani. [edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Sidharth Malhotra's net worth is estimated at $10 Million as of 2026. This financial standing is built upon a diverse portfolio of income streams including film salaries, brand endorsements, web series appearances, social media promotions, and event engagements. Throughout his career, he has served as the face for major brands such as Oppo, Pepe Jeans, Metro Shoes, and MAA Earth. His personal collection of vehicles includes a Range Rover Vogue and a Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupé, complemented by motorcycles from Harley-Davidson and Ducati.[edit]

Malhotra has received two Filmfare nominations, for Best Male Debut and Best Actor, and won several awards for his portrayal of Captain Vikram Batra in Shershaah, though specific names are not listed in available sources. [edit]