Sidharth Malhotra, who recently embraced fatherhood with his wife Kiara Advani, has become a prominent figure in Bollywood since his debut in 2012. From a suave student to a brave soldier, Malhotra has showcased his versatility across various genres. Here’s a look at five of his most memorable films.

1. Shershaah (2021)

This biographical war drama, directed by Vishnuvardhan, is a turning point in Sidharth Malhotra's career. Based on the life of Captain Vikram Batra, a Param Vir Chakra awardee, Malhotra portrays Batra's bravery and sacrifice during the Kargil War of 1999. He also plays Batra's twin brother, Vishal. The film received largely positive reviews, with praise for Malhotra's performance. Saibal Chatterjee noted that Malhotra "has what it takes to flesh out a real-life martyr". Shershaah became the most-watched film on Amazon Prime Video in India at the time of its release and earned Malhotra his first Filmfare Award nomination for Best Actor. Vishal Batra, Vikram’s brother, said that Sidharth met the family many times to understand Vikram as a son, brother, and soldier, and that Sidharth’s portrayal of his brother inspired other youngsters to join the army.

2. Hasee Toh Phasee (2014)

This romantic comedy, directed by Vinil Mathew, stars Malhotra as Nikhil, a businessman who falls for Meeta, the eccentric sister of his fiancée. Paired opposite Parineeti Chopra, Malhotra delivers a charming performance in this unconventional love story. Critics praised the film's fresh storyline, humor, and the chemistry between Malhotra and Chopra. Meena Iyer of The Times of India described it as "a romantic comedy that mirrors the quirks in human nature subtly". The Mumbai Police also used a dialogue reel from Hasee Toh Phasee to create a public awareness video about traffic rules, which Malhotra approved. Hasee Toh Phasee remains a popular romantic drama in Hindi cinema.

3. Ek Villain (2014)

Directed by Mohit Suri, Ek Villain is a romantic action thriller where Malhotra plays Guru, a reformed gangster seeking revenge for the murder of his wife, Aisha. Despite mixed reviews, the film was a box-office success. Sidharth's performance as the intense and vengeful Guru was well-received, showcasing a different side of his acting abilities. BollySpice.com noted that while Riteish Deshmukh received critical acclaim for his role as the villain, Sidharth packed in "a certain amount of florid intensity combined with some terrific stunts". The song "Teri Galliyan" from the film became immensely popular.

4. Kapoor & Sons (2016)

In this family drama directed by Shakun Batra, Malhotra plays one of two estranged brothers who return home to visit their ailing grandfather. The film features an ensemble cast including Rishi Kapoor, Ratna Pathak Shah, and Fawad Khan. Malhotra holds his own, delivering a sensitive portrayal of a young man dealing with family issues. Kapoor & Sons was commercially successful and received positive reviews for its performances and portrayal of a modern family.

5. Student of the Year (2012)

Sidharth Malhotra made his Bollywood debut with this coming-of-age drama directed by Karan Johar. He plays Abhimanyu Singh, a middle-class student competing for the Student of the Year trophy. The film was a commercial success and launched the careers of Malhotra, Alia Bhatt, and Varun Dhawan. Malhotra earned praise for his performance and received a Filmfare nomination for Best Male Debut.