Siddhant Issar on Lohitaksha: 'Christian Bale in American Psycho inspired me'
Synopsis
Known to audiences as Ram and Krishna on stage, Siddhant Issar is making a jarring pivot — playing a psychologically toxic husband in thriller Lohitaksha, drawing inspiration from Christian Bale's American Psycho. It is one of the sharper actor-image reversals in recent Hindi cinema, and the 23 October release will reveal whether the gamble lands.
Key Takeaways
Siddhant Issar , son of Puneet Issar , plays a psychologically troubled, toxic husband in upcoming thriller Lohitaksha , directed by Bhupindarra .
The film releases on 23 October .
Siddhant cited Christian Bale 's performance in American Psycho as a key inspiration for the role.
He has performed as Bhagwan Krishna in more than 200 stage shows and currently plays Shri Ram in a Navratri production in Delhi .
His theatre experience, he says, helped him sustain the psychological intensity required for the film's lengthy monologues.
Actor Siddhant Issar, son of veteran actor Puneet Issar, is gearing up for a striking departure from his established screen image with the upcoming psychological thriller Lohitaksha, releasing on 23 October. In the film, directed by Bhupindarra, Siddhant portrays a psychologically troubled, toxic husband whose behaviour systematically unravels his wife's life — a role he says demanded deep exploration of the darker corners of human psychology.
The Inspiration Behind the Character
Siddhant has cited Christian Bale's iconic portrayal in the Hollywood film American Psycho as one of his key reference points. "Christian Bale's performance in American Psycho is one of the inspirations I have looked at while understanding how an actor can explore a dark and disturbing character," he said in a statement. He added that his role in Lohitaksha carries "its own personality and psychological depth," featuring lengthy monologues that tested both his range and stamina as a performer.
Theatre Background Shapes Intense Scenes
Siddhant's extensive background in theatre — where he has performed as Bhagwan Krishna in more than 200 shows and currently plays Shri Ram in a ten-day stage production in Delhi during Navratri — has, he says, been indispensable in sustaining the intensity the film demands. "My experience in theatre has helped me immensely in maintaining the intensity and justifying those scenes," he noted. He also plays Krishna in Mahabharata stage productions, underscoring the breadth of his live-performance experience.
The Contrast: Ram on Stage, a Toxic Husband on Screen
The contrast between his two current avatars is stark. Speaking about his stage work, Siddhant said: "When I perform as Ram, I give it my absolute best because it is an extremely challenging role. There has to be innocence, dignity and poise in the way he speaks. His words reflect goodness, righteousness and the eternal battle between good and evil." The pivot to a morally complex antagonist in Lohitaksha is, he argues, precisely what versatility demands of an actor.
Awaiting the Audience Verdict
Siddhant is candid about the uncertainty that accompanies such a bold transformation. "I sincerely hope audiences will accept and appreciate me in this completely different avatar in Lohitaksha. I have tried my best to understand the character and deliver what the role demands. Ultimately, it is the audience that decides whether you have succeeded," he said. With the trailer already presenting him in a sharply altered light, the 23 October release will be the true test of whether the gamble pays off.
Point of View
Which maps directly onto the toxic-husband archetype. The more interesting story here is the stage-to-screen tension: actors deeply identified with devotional roles face a genuine audience-acceptance risk when they step into moral ambiguity. Whether Lohitaksha's thriller mechanics are strong enough to support that transformation, or whether the film leans on the novelty of the casting contrast, is what critics will watch. The 23 October release will also test whether niche psychological thrillers can carve space in a market increasingly dominated by franchise and spectacle releases.
NationPress
18 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Siddhant Issar and what is Lohitaksha?
Siddhant Issar is an actor and the son of veteran Bollywood actor Puneet Issar. Lohitaksha is an upcoming psychological thriller directed by Bhupindarra, in which Siddhant plays a psychologically troubled, toxic husband — a sharp contrast to his well-known stage roles as Ram and Krishna.
When does Lohitaksha release?
Lohitaksha is scheduled to release on 23 October. The trailer has already been unveiled, presenting Siddhant Issar in a strikingly different avatar from his stage performances.
What inspired Siddhant Issar's performance in Lohitaksha?
Siddhant has cited Christian Bale's performance in the Hollywood film American Psycho as one of his key inspirations for understanding how to portray a dark and psychologically disturbing character. He also drew on his extensive theatre background to sustain the intensity of lengthy monologue scenes.
What stage roles is Siddhant Issar known for?
Siddhant Issar is widely recognised for playing Shri Ram in the stage production Ramayan Bhaim and Bhagwan Krishna in Mahabharata, having performed the Krishna role in more than 200 shows. He is currently performing as Ram during a ten-day Navratri production in Delhi.
How does Siddhant Issar describe the contrast between his stage and film roles?
He describes the contrast as a demonstration of an actor's versatility, noting that playing Ram demands innocence, dignity, and poise, while the Lohitaksha role requires exploring psychological depth and darkness. He has said the audience will ultimately decide whether the transformation succeeds.
