Now is not an easy time for Siddharth Malhotra. He may continue to be a heartthrob for the Instagram generation, but after the resounding failure of five films in a row — Baar Baar Dekho, A Gentleman, Ittefaq, Aiyyari, and Jabariya Jodi — the actor is ready to turn his career around with Marjaavaan, which releases this Friday.

The Milap Zaveri-directed film features Malhotra on a vendetta spree against Riteish Deshmukh, who plays a midget. Deshmukh is the first pint-sized villain of Hindi cinema, and pre-release reports suggest he has completely stolen the show with his miniaturised vile act.

However, even if Deshmukh is the scene-stealer in Marjaavaan, Malhotra’s role and performance has enough meat and bite to put him back on the map once again. A sequel to Marjaavaan is already being planned, where Malhotra’s role would be further developed.