EXCLUSIVE: Aashram actor Chandan Roy Sanyal shares his journey in showbiz and exploring the OTT world

While we have seen many talents coming in the industry, very few have managed to make a mark with their performances and actor Chandan Roy Sanyal is wone such a brilliant actor who came to the industry without any backing. And it was purely on merit that this actor made his mark. Now with his debut in the OTT space in the show Aashram, Chandan has not only made his mark but is also emerging as a force to reckon with in the web-series world. In an exclusive interview with Instafeed, the actor talks about his journey, his love for his craft and his new beginnings in the OTT world. Read on… 

Were you always passionate about being an actor right from childhood, or did you harbour the dream later in life? How was your journey and how did it all began?

As a child, I have done lots of stage shows. Since I am from Bengal, we celebrate Durga Puja there on a large scale and I would play some character in that. To be honest, I feel I would act really bad then, but still, people would like it. Since then I dreamt of being an actor, and for the same, I came to Delhi and joined a theatre group. Then I did a lot of shows and started enjoying the whole process. I liked this world and I decided to be a part of it. But yes, I have also struggled a lot, because in our country becoming an actor is a very difficult task. No family would want to see their child getting into this line, but I still came here and I am happy to achieve what I had thought of. Today, because of my efforts I am earning and leading an amazing life. 

You started off with Bollywood or had you tried your hand at Bengali cinema earlier? How did you land a role in your debut film Rang De Basanti?

No, I never acted in Bengali theatre, I started with Hindi theatre. When I was studying in Delhi, I had gone to Bhopal in those days. There I joined the famous theatre artist Harish Sandipji’s group, he has been my mentor, I did theatre with him for three years. Once I finished my studies in Delhi, I came to Mumbai at a very young age. I had decided to do theatre here, and while doing that I found out about the auditions for Rang De Basanti. This was in 2004, I gave the audition and got selected. That film was like a film school for me, I got to learn a lot there because I was working with some big superstars including Aamir Khan. So, it was a great experience for me. 

After you came to Mumbai to make a career in acting did you ever feel that you have made a wrong decision and that you wouldn’t be able to survive?

Yes, absolutely. Struggle makes people weak many times and it happened with me too. When I came to Mumbai in 2003-2004, I used to have a small basic keypad phone without the internet. I would use a landline and I would also carry a small diary with me in those days. Using the PCO to make calls to offices was my routine, and it was very common for me to get rejections and abuses from offices. Every time when I would call, I was told not to call again and again.  They would ask me to call back after 2 months and I would note that in my dairy hoping that after 2 months, maybe I would land the part. 

So far you have worked in films, and very recently you explored the OTT space too, how was the OTT experience? 

To say the truth, it feels like I am trying something new and learning something new. I believe in my first film Kamine because, with a good role to play, it also helped me identify my school of acting. Working on the OTT platform I realized that I have rebooted myself, I kept getting work back to back and it only allowed myself to evolve. 

Work has picked up in UP to make a film city, what do you have to say about it? Don’t you think it will divide Bollywood? 

I feel its okay because it will give a chance to the actors in UP. I am of the opinion that there should be a film city in every state, it will help a parallel industry emerge. It’s a great thing. 

Tell us something about your role in the web-series Aashram, also how was your experience of working with Bobby Deol?

I worked with Bobby Deol in Ayodhya for about three and a half months and it was a great experience. He is a very humble person and that is a major reason why our chemistry has been loved so much. 

What would you like to say to all those who aspire to make a career in Bollywood?

I would like to say that no one should enter this industry without good knowledge about it. First, they should understand the nitty-gritty of this business and then decide to make a career in it. It is also important to understand the process because at face value it might look easy but in reality, it's very difficult. If you want to survive in the industry, you need to do good work and yes, they should take one step at a time to go forward. 

Written by Nawaz Kochra