From the boyish charm of Happy New Year to the intense, rugged demeanour of an army officer in Ikkis, Vivaan Shah has come a long way. After 15 years in the industry, the actor is currently basking in the success of his latest outing, directed by Sriram Raghavan.
In a candid conversation with Filmfare, Vivaan opens up about his “God-sent” role, his deep family connection to the military, and why he thinks Agastya Nanda is the star to watch out for.
On Ikkis and the Evolved Agastya Nanda
For Vivaan, playing Captain Vijendra Malhotra was a childhood dream come true. However, a major part of that joy came from his co-star, Agastya Nanda. Vivaan noticed a beautiful circularity to life while filming – he was exactly Agastya’s age (23) when he worked with Agastya’s uncle, Abhishek Bachchan, in Happy New Year.
Vivaan said, “Working with Agastya was really one of the most beautiful experiences I’ve ever had. Let me tell you, when I was that age, I was not half as evolved and matured as Agastya. He has such command over his craft. He is such a thoughtful actor and phenomenally hardworking. He has given 3-4 years of his life to the project. He is a beautiful soul and a beautiful mind.”
As for his own role, Vivaan loved shedding his chocolate boy image. He shared, “Because of the way I look, I have a very boyish look. I usually get typecast in that chocolate boy category. So, it was very interesting for me to play a tough guy, a hardened war veteran. I had a lot of fun with the externals, the body language, the posture, and the way I walked.”
A Dream Collaboration with Sriram Raghavan
Working with Sriram Raghavan was a cinema buff’s dream for Vivaan, but the way he got cast is a story for the books. It involved a case of mistaken identity and a shared love for cult cinema.
He laughed and said, “How I got cast in this film is actually hilarious.” After meeting Sriram Raghavan briefly in 2022 to discuss their mutual love for director Don Siegel, Vivaan didn’t hear back, or so he thought. He shared, “In 2024, I met him and he told me that for the last two years he had been conducting a correspondence on WhatsApp with some other Vivaan who lives abroad, thinking that it’s me! Finally, when the penny dropped, he realised that it’s not me and told his people to call the real Vivaan. It’s a complete stroke of luck and almost like an accident.”
On Working with Shah Rukh Khan
Reflecting on his journey, Vivaan speaks with deep respect for his Happy New Year co-star, Shah Rukh Khan. He exclaimed, “Working with Shah Rukh sir felt like being touched by the hand of God. His generosity, his kindness and his wisdom really, really touched my heart very deeply. I learnt an immense amount from him about the nuts and bolts, the technique and the craft of screen acting, timing, comic timing, about dance, about action. When he shoots an action scene, he gets completely hands-on. He gets so involved and consumed by the work.”
Debut With 7 Khoon Maaf
Vivaan’s entry into Bollywood was in Vishal Bhardwaj’s 7 Khoon Maaf. He recalls a hilarious memory from the time they went to Las Vegas to test his aged look for the film.
He recounted, “We actually tested out the prosthetics in the casino to see if it works. This one guy came up to me and asked me for ID when I’m sitting with white hair and wrinkles! I’m sitting with white hair, an overcoat and specs and he’s asking me for ID. It was hilarious. I just ran from there!”
Despite the funny moments, his respect for the director remains immense: “Vishalji is my favorite filmmaker… these are directors that we grew up worshipping.”
The Artistic Partnership with Naseeruddin Shah
Vivaan describes his current dynamic with his father, Naseeruddin Shah as more of a collaboration.
He shared, “My father was very proud of Ikkis. He really felt very, very good. It was an immense moment for him.” He also notes how the film brought his father closer to his own screen idol, Dharmendra. “Dharamji was a matinee idol for my father growing up. For him to see one of Dharamji’s most beautiful and moving performances was absolutely stunning.” On their personal bond, he adds, “It’s like an artistic partnership. Over the years, I’ve managed to get a better command over my craft, and that is something my father is very proud of.”
Life as an Author
When he isn’t in front of the camera, Vivaan finds immense meaning in literature. As a published novelist, writing is his way of staying empowered during the industry’s quiet periods.
He shared, “It’s something that keeps the mind and soul occupied in my spare time. Writing books is the only art form where all you need is a pen and a piece of paper. You don’t need anybody else’s time and you don’t need anybody else’s money. I find that very empowering.”
As he looks toward 2026, Vivaan is eager to keep surprising his fans. He concluded, “I hope that I am able to play roles which are dynamic, where I can present a different avatar of myself and create a character the audience did not expect.”
Also Read: Ikkis Movie Review: Dharmendra’s Swan Song
