A PASSION for dancing and performing at school awakened a strong desire within Sanjay Gagnani to entertain audiences, which led to him pursuing an acting career.
From those early performances to winning turns on television, the naturally gifted actor found his purpose early on and has used that to entertain audiences in shows like his current project Kundali Bhagya.
Eastern Eye caught up with Sanjay to talk all things television.
Which of your acting projects has given you the greatest joy?
My acting job in Kundali Bhagya is giving me the greatest joy because there are a lot of factors that are working for me. As an actor, I am working with the best production house. Itis the best show on Indian television for two and a half years. I have got the best character an actor on an Indian TV can ask for. I get to portray a lot of shades and layers in the most challenging role I have ever performed. My earlier roles also gave me equal joy because those experiences are the result of what audiences are seeing on the screen right now as Prithvi Malhotra.
What is the secret of staying motivated when you do so many episodes?
One thought that always keeps me motivated is how to make sure that my family is happy. I’m very close to my family and they are everything for me. I live away from them because I have to fulfil my dreams. So, each day when I wake up, I remind myself that I have to be at the top of my game to make my family feel proud. This thought keeps me motivated.
What has been the most interesting encounter you have had?
The most interesting encounter has been meeting Ekta Kapoor for the first time. The first sentence she said was that I was doing well. That was the day I thought I was successful. I felt happy, and it was unbelievable coming from someone who is the best at the game.
What do you enjoy watching on TV?
Shooting schedules are unpredictable, but I try catching up on a few web series. So, the last one I watched was You, and it was pretty interesting.
What inspires you?
Waking up and seeing myself in the mirror inspires me because when I see the other person in the mirror, I feel he is my biggest competition. I want to be better than him and what he was yesterday.
What’s your dream role?
Rather than dream role, I would want to work with directors like Imtiaz Ali sir or Zoya Akhtar, because they work on the characters. They make content-driven yet entertaining films. So, the characters in their films are very well defined.
If you could master something new what would it be?
I would like to master a lot of new things such as martial arts. As an actor, I want to be ready for everything. I want to improve myself when it comes to dancing and performing action sequences.
Tell us something about you not many people may know?
They know me well.
Why do you love being an actor?
Acting transports me to another world. It gives me an opportunity to entertain audiences and win their hearts, to make my family proud, to earn respect and influence life. It gives me an opportunity to inspire people and bring a change in society.
Mistry with potatoes from her garden
Mistry stands beside her allotment sign