Eshaan Shanker - I Would Like To Give My Essence To Every Character I Am Portraying (Actor)

 

As an actor you are always learning because each character is different from the previous one you have played. The set up is different. Every directors vision is different about the character that they want you to portray so I think if you are open minded and you welcome ideas, you will never feel stagnant. 

 1. Tell us about your background and journey.

I am from a middle class family and I didn't have any connections in Bollywood but the seed was planted in me when I was 4years old. My dad wanted to be an actor but he couldn’t be as he met with an accident on the first day of the shoot. 

The movie was supposed to be directed by Mr.Asrani and the title of the movie was Goldmedal. My dad was bed ridden for almost 2years and that’s when I told my dad that I will be fulfilling his dream and here I am. Since the age of 5, I always dreamt of becoming an actor. 

Film industry is the audio and visual medium and it has a lot of impact on humanity as a whole. People worship actors and stars in our country and they blindly follow them. 

Stories can change peoples lives. When I was in school, I saw the film 3 idiots and rang de Basanti which changed me as a person. Cinema is the only medium through which we can change the society for betterment. 

2. Do you tend to carry a part of the characters you portray with you?

I believe that the character comes from within. Every actor has all the instruments to play all the characters, the key is they need to know how to use them. 

So for me I believe in a switch on switch off method, if I start carrying the character I portray it will be an attachment of me for the character and that will be very difficult for me to play other characters. 

3. Is there any character you wish you got to portray? If so, how different would have portrayed it?

I am fairly very knew in the industry, but I am happy that being an outsider I am getting to work in the industry and to play different characters more than wishing of portraying character in the different way. Moreover, I would like to give my essence to every character I am portraying. 

There is something written for me. I am super excited and nervous and it will surely be a break for me. I can’t say much at the moment but it’s a very complex character and I can’t wait to portray it. 

4. Can an actor reach a point of stagnancy where they don't have anything new to learn?

Not really. As an actor you are always learning because each character is different from the previous one you have played. The set up is different. Every directors vision is different about the character that they want you to portray so I think if you are open minded and you welcome ideas, you will never feel stagnant. 

5. How important is introspection for an actor?

I would say that it’s very important because our body is our instrument and we got nothing else to sell but ourselves. 

6. What is your mantra for success ?

• Keep working hard 
• Keep going 
• Consistency is the key. There is no other way. 

Eshaan Shanker

Actor

Instagram id - @eshaanshanker

Interviewed by - Adit Koul