Shantanu Maheshwari is greatest recognized for being a superb dancer, having participated in a number of TV reveals and in addition represented India at worldwide competitions. While the breakthrough in his appearing profession was the immensely widespread Channel V present Dil Dosti Dance, Shantanu took the massive leap into Bollywood with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s movie Gangubai Kathiawadi, the place he performed the love curiosity of Alia Bhatt, no much less.
Despite not enjoying the traditional hero, Shantanu left a mark along with his refined, supportive function of Afsaan. In a dialog with News18, the actor spoke about how he landed the function, and when did he lastly notice that he’s now part of a significant film like Gangubai.
How did you land a task in a Sanjay Leela Bhansali movie?
This is one thing I lately bought to know, that his mother had noticed me in one of many TV reveals that I used to be doing. She really helpful me to sir, saying that there’s something about him, one thing in his eyes, kuch toh baat hai ismein. So then sir informed somebody, and casting name occurred, and that’s how I bought a possibility to audition for this function.
When did it hit dwelling that you simply have been a part of a significant challenge like Gangubai Kathiawadi?
After seeing the film on the massive display screen, I noticed it’s a really large movie that I’m a part of. Before that, it didn’t hit me. Till the time I accomplished my shoot, I didn’t notice that I used to be going to be a part of an SLB film. I knew that I’m a part of a giant challenge. But after I noticed the film is after I realized that oh, oh, it’s large.
Were you nervous about working with Sanjay Leela Bhansali?
I used to be very nervous to work with Sanjay sir. He’s a perfectionist. He could be very specific about issues. You hear tales about him, right here and there, so by default, you develop into very scared. I’ve significantly watched his previous three films – Ram Leela, Bajirao Mastani and Padmaavat – and I grew to become a really large fan. So for me, he grew to become like one of many greatest celebrities that I used to be working with. He’s a genius. He creates magic on display screen, and be sure that his actors additionally give their profession greatest performances.
So yeah, there was this nervousness, this strain that I used to be taking, earlier than I began filming with him. But as soon as I began filming with him, all these strain, all of the nervousness, sort of pale away, as a result of it was a lot enjoyable to work with him, understanding what he’s saying, absorbing what he’s saying, and be capable of carry out the best way he needed his characters to be.
There is a really refined romance between Afsaan and Gangubai. How did SLB information you throughout these scenes?
He completely provides freedom to his actors. He shouldn’t be somebody who will let you know, isko aisa karo and isko waisa karo. He provides you with suggestions in a method, like he’ll say, I’m supplying you with 10 issues, if you wish to incorporate these issues, if it comes naturally to you, you possibly can go forward and do these issues. But if it doesn’t, then don’t do it. Do it your method, as a result of I’m not an actor, he’ll say.
Did it additionally assist to have Alia in entrance of you as a co-star?
Oh, undoubtedly, she was so easy, and he or she’s so good. All you need to do is simply react at occasions, and you’re going to get what you need. Because if you need to put in an effort when it comes to performing the best way you wish to carry out, and also you assume ki mereko aise karna hai, mujhe aansu aane chahiye, it doesn’t come like that. Those pure performances imply one thing else. When Alia used to carry out, it used to come back very naturally, issues used to hit in a sure method. The response used to come back in a really pure method. I liked working along with her.
Bhansali movies are additionally recognized for his or her grand music and dance sequences. You are such an important dancer however sadly you don’t get to indicate your expertise on this movie.
In truth, in preliminary conferences with sir, when he bought to know that I’ve a dance background and have represented India overseas, and so forth, he simply stopped and mentioned, ‘But bachha, tum dance nahi kar rahe ho ismein.’ I informed him, ‘Haan sir, I’m completely nice with it.’ I’m more than pleased that I used to be chosen for the appearing a part of it and never as a result of the character had a dancing background. It’s a much bigger achievement for me that I bought chosen in such a film as an actor and purely as an actor. That’s a giant achievement, I really feel.
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