Shreyas Talpade has always entertained audiences with the variety of characters he portrays on screen. In 2025, the actor was seen in diverse roles as he played Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Kangana Ranaut’s ‘Emergency’, a notorious character in ‘Housefull 5’, Jeetu in ‘Baaghi 4’, and a loud character, Sikander, in ‘Single Salma’.The actor is also in the news for being part of ‘Golmaal 5’ and ‘Welcome to the Jungle’, with both projects expected to complete shooting in 2026. Amid all this, Shreyas Talpade will also feature in Palash Muchhal’s next untitled directorial. However, before he could get busy again, ETimes caught up with the actor to talk about his last outing, ‘Single Salma’. Shreyas was overwhelmed as he spoke about his experience, his thought process behind the character, working with Huma Qureshi, and much more. Excerpts from the interview:
Despite all the limitations, how did you enjoy doing this loud character Sikander in ‘Single Salma’? How did you bring the character on screen?
In fact, the character is written like that. And when the writer, Mudassar, and director, Nachiket, both narrated it to me, when they read out the scenes, it was supposed to be a little over the top. Whatever his background was supposed to be. In fact, there’s a sequence between him and Huma where he tells her about his background. He knew in his head that he’s Bachchan and he’s a little filmy, over the top, kind of. Not exactly flamboyant, but slightly overenthusiastic about things. Because he’s a salesman. So, he’s built everything from scratch.He’s that kind of character who’s happy with his life, happy with getting his sister married and settled, getting his family settled, and seeing his mother happy. So, he’s very happy and content in his space.He never thought that he would get married to a beautiful girl like Salma. So, he’s overexcited about it. He doesn’t believe the whole thing; he’s overexcited, and that’s why he tends to behave in that manner.But at the same time, he’s very endearing. He thinks about his family; he thinks about his sister. And that same thought process reflects with Salma as well. When in the film Salma tells him that she has to go to London, he agrees and tells her that she should go. So, he’s progressive in his thinking.Being a sales guy himself, he believes in progress, and he believes in giving equal opportunity to everyone. And that’s how he is. But honestly, when I was asked to play this character, I loved him immediately. The moment they narrated it to me, I loved him.And the sequences are nice, they are funny and emotional. Even when he is, in a way, cheated. Even then he’s like, “I told you not to insult me.” So, he’s hurt. But the kind of person that he is, he also forgives her in the end. Yeah. Because he understands that her point is also somewhere valid. So, that is the way he is.
How was working with Huma Qureshi and how do you see her as an actress?
She’s lovely. It’s always a pleasure to work with actors who understand, the script, their character, and the other characters as well. And most importantly, who understands the tune of the film, the scene, and the shot. So, then there is a lot of valuable give and take.The reason why people find my character nicer, amazing, or endearing is because the other characters are giving him that kind of reaction. So, if not for Huma or the other characters involved, if you don’t get that kind of reaction for your action, then it doesn’t make any sense.And Huma is a fantastic actress. But at the same time, she’s a very naughty co-star.
Naughty co-star and why did you say so?
There are so many times when she would make me laugh sitting at the other end, even in sequences where I’m supposed to be angry with her. If the audience sees some of our outtakes, they will know that there are multiple times when I’ve just laughed. Because she would do something on the other side that would crack me up. And I crack up very easily. So, my co-actors always know that this is my weak point. I really crack up very easily. So, they will say anything, and I’ll start laughing.So, even in angry scenes, there were many shots where I just ended up laughing and the director had to say, “Sir, come on, get serious.” I said, “I’m trying to. I’m genuinely trying to get serious. But, you know, you will have to replace this co-star of mine. Otherwise, I won’t be able to.”But that also helps break the ice and makes things a little lighter. It makes the environment lighter. So, I had a great time working with Huma, not only as an actor but also as a producer.Huma and Saqib, I feel, are excellent producers. They take great care of their actors, pamper them, and make sure they are comfortable. So, in that respect, I think we had a great time doing this one.
Do you believe Sikandar represents a kind of love that cinema is slowly moving away from one that is less performative and more instinctive?
I don’t know, to be very honest. I don’t know if cinema is really moving away or towards anything. I was just trying to perform it to the best of my ability—simple as that. And he’s that kind of person. Sikandar is that kind of person.To be very honest, while I was performing it, I was not trying to make any statement. And that is what I do with all my characters. All my characters are characters. You portray them. You perform them. You pretend to be that particular person. You act it out.And when the director says pack up, you get out of it and go home a normal guy. Simple. That is what happened with Sikandar as well.
What did Sikandar teach you as an actor or as a person?
Sometimes it’s okay to be a little over the top. Sikandar taught me that it’s important to be yourself. You don’t have to; when you’re not acting, you shouldn’t act.It’s important to be yourself in any situation. That is what distinguishes you and separates you from everybody else. Just because everybody is behaving in a particular manner doesn’t mean you have to be like that. You can go against the tide, against the flow, and still be yourself. That is what is most important.
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