Filmmaker and producer Siddharth P. Malhotra is celebrating a successful year in 2026. Earlier this year, his Netflix movie Ikka, featuring Sunny Deol and Akshaye Khanna, attracted a lot of viewers. Now, his new web series, Shaque: Trust No One, is also receiving positive attention.
In a recent interview, Malhotra shared exciting news about both projects. He confirmed that plans for sequels are underway, stating, “Ikka has set new records, and we are currently working on Ikka 2. Likewise, Shaque has performed exceptionally well, and we’re planning Shaque Season 2. While it won’t continue from the first season, it will tell a new story, and we are in the writing process.”
He further explained that Shaque was originally conceived as a movie by director Rensil D’Silva about 8 or 9 years ago. “It was meant to be a feature film at first. However, as we developed it into a series, we realized it had great potential for that format, which is when I sold it to Netflix. They embraced the idea.”
Malhotra is thrilled with the response to the show so far. “The feedback has been amazing. Even after just a week, it has reached number one. Throughout my career, I’ve never received so many calls about a series. People from different areas are reaching out, telling me how much they enjoyed it. Netflix is really happy as well, as it’s in the top 10 across 20-30 countries. At events, folks are genuinely sharing their positive thoughts about the show, which is always a great sign.”
Shaque is a mystery series where viewers discover the criminal’s identity only at the end. In today’s digital age, there’s always the risk of spoilers on social media. Malhotra acknowledged this challenge, saying, “Social media has its pros and cons. While you can’t prevent someone from revealing the ending, we’re content with the discussions happening around the show. If people still enjoy watching it after knowing the ending, that’s a win for our writing team.”
During a recent event, lead actress Parineeti Chopra revealed that she found out she was pregnant after shooting began, prompting the team to arrange accommodations nearby to minimize her travel. Malhotra emphasized the importance of supporting her during this time. “It was essential for us to take care of her. She could have opted out of shooting, but she chose to stay on set, and we’re committed to ensuring her well-being.”
Siddharth P. Malhotra has tackled various themes in his directing career, from We Are Family (2010) and Hichki (2018) to Tribhanga (2021) and Maharaj (2024). When asked if his diverse choices are intentional, he clarified, “It’s not a deliberate strategy to avoid repeating genres. Rather, I aim to find stories that resonate with me. At their core, these stories delve into human relationships, even if the settings differ.”
Malhotra has maintained a fruitful partnership with Netflix, producing several projects, including Tribhanga, Maharaj, Ikka, and now Shaque. He appreciates their collaborative spirit, noting, “I’ve known the team for a long time, and they are incredibly supportive. The success of any project is a team effort, and Netflix has been a fantastic partner in this journey.”
