Sudhanshu Pandey: The art of creating characters and making them memorable

ACCLAIMED ACTOR SUDHANSHU PANDEY DISCUSSES HIS CAREER AND SUCCESSFUL SERIAL

by ASJAD NAZIR

WHILE others chased the limelight, Sudhanshu Pandey has spent two decades focused on whatever acting challenges have come his way in films as well as television.

A 20-year career has seen the versatile actor playing a wide array of roles in different languages, and he always made his presence felt in high-profile projects, which includes this year’s biggest Indian TV sleeper hit Anupamaa. The successful drama series has added to his long-list of projects that have entertained cross-generational audiences in 2020 and with more interesting work on the way, 2021 looks like being another big year for him.

Eastern Eye caught up with Sudhanshu Pandey to discuss his acting journey, Anupamaa success, hopes and why he won’t make a new year’s resolution.

You have starred in a massive number of film and TV projects. How do you look back on your journey as an actor?

When I look back at my journey as an actor I think there’s a lot more I can do and give as an actor. I feel every time I have done a project, I have grown more as a human being and as a result, also as an actor.

Which role has been closest to your heart?

Well, I don't think I can say that any particular character is close to my heart because every job I have done till date in my life has been very close to me. Every time I have performed a character, it has come from my heart and soul, as I am one of those actors who internalises everything, and then properly executes the character I am given. So, every character I have played is very close to my heart and I can't really differentiate.

Which of your roles has been the most challenging for you?

Every role is challenging because every time I play a new character it’s a completely different world altogether. And whenever I am given a character, whether it's a cop, husband or a (villainous) don, each has a different background, setting and mindset. So, it is imperative that I get inside the mindset of a particular character with the help of the background he’s had, and the reason why he is, what he is. So, I feel every character is very challenging.

You are not afraid to take on a challenge. Is it fair to say you are fearless?

Yes, this is something I would agree to, definitely, because I have never really been scared of performing a certain character, including a negative role that not a lot of people are ready to do, because they don’t want to be seen in a negative light.

You can do negatives characters well…

I think negative characters are far more challenging because you have to play something which you are not actually in real life. (Smiles) At least I am not. I am a very spiritually inclined and positive person in real life. So, it’s difficult to perform a negative character. Yes, I take up negative and grey shaded characters, as well as positive roles, so I am absolutely fearless. If I start fearing I won’t be able to grow as an actor and I want to explore all areas of the human mind.

Does your approach as an actor change between film and TV?

Well, I don't know whether I can give a very serious answer to that, but yes, my approach as an actor changes between television and films. When I am doing a film, I take a chill pill, relax and work at a more leisurely pace. When I am doing television, it is like a daily 100-metre race that happens, so obviously, I am on my toes without any gap or rest and have to keep giving my best every single day.

How much does the amazing success of Anupamaa mean to you?

The success of Anupama has been honestly very overwhelming and we started this journey, all thanks to (producer) Rajan Shahi, who thought of me as the hero for this show. He really had a lot of faith in me in terms of being able to execute this character the way he had thought and that really means a lot. With Rajan as a producer, me as an actor and Rupali (Ganguly) as Anupamaa, we have sort of taken a very drastic leap in terms of the kind of zone that this show is in.

What do you mean?

It’s drastically different to any other show you see on television. The fact that we have succeeded and been on top of the game since we started shows that sometimes in life we got to be fearless. You got to take up the challenges and go with your conviction, and this is the proof of that.

Why do you think the Star Plus series has been so successful?

The reason this series has been successful is its content, which is the absolute opposite of what people have seen on television in the past few years. It’s not very glamorous or glossy; it has no large sets, huge pillars and walls, jewellery and all that. The setting is middle-class and it’s a human story. It’s a very tight family drama. That’s why I think it is very successful, as it pulls from every middle-class family, which is the largest class in our country of 1.3 billion people. They can connect to at least one character from the story, which has deeply touched people and done exceedingly well.

Do you have a dream role?

A dream is very difficult to define. As I said earlier, I give my 100 per cent to every role because I want it to become a dream role. It should be something people remember and appreciate for the longest time, so that is why I feel every character I have played has been a dream role.

What do you enjoy watching?

From a pure entertainment point of view, I love watching horror and comedy. These two genres are my favourite.

So, will you be making any resolution for the new year?

I don’t make new year’s resolutions as I think I lead a very disciplined life. I am a very disciplined person, so as of now I don’t think I need to make a new year’s resolution, but if you really want me to make one then I would want to make myself even more disciplined with every passing year.

Today, what inspires you?

Everything around me inspires me today. Even the pandemic we have gone through has inspired me greatly because of the tough times. Life is the biggest and best teacher, and the greatest influence on one’s mind. If a person is really ready to accept everything life throws at you then everything becomes a learning experience. It also helps you grow as a human being and be somebody who has taken birth on this planet and wants to lead by example, and leave an example for the generations to come. So, everything is an inspiration to me every day and I intend to be a better person every day because of it.