It is not easy to associate Sidharth Malhotra with over-the-top, dramatic films considering he has shown a proclivity towards urbane roles, so far. "But I am an actor," smiles Malhotra, arguing that his next, Marjaavaan — a masala entertainer at its core — is a necessary step. "I grew up watching Sunny Deol and Sanjay Dutt, and I was happy Marjaavaan has that flavour which hasn't been explored by me. It's my job as an actor to do something that makes me uncomfortable."

When the film's trailer dropped online, netizens pointed out similarities with Malhotra's hit flick, Ek Villain (2014). "That's just because both movies star Riteish [Deshmukh] and me. The sur of this film is different. This is a classic good-versus-evil story. The comparison doesn't bother me because Ek Villain gave me a lot. I hope this film is able to do the same."