Actor Chandrachur Singh made a promising return recently as the owner of a pharmaceutical company in the Disney+ Hotstar show Aarya, alongside Sushmita Sen. Currently based in Gurgaon, he looks back at his journey as an actor and the opportunities that streaming platforms have created.
Q/ You have not done too many projects in the recent past. What was it about Aarya that attracted you?
A/ I would say that I was really keen to work with Ram (Madhvani, creator) because of his work in the past. Besides, I was supposed to work with Sushmita long ago, which did not happen then. That was again a draw. Plus, I thought the entire concept of Aarya was very enticing.
Q/ When Tere Mere Sapne and Maachis released in 1996, you had become quite the sensation with your boy-next-door image. When things started crumbling, were you badly affected?
A/ I would like to mention that I am really grateful to Jaya ji (Bachchan) and Gulzar ji for giving me a break in the two projects [respectively]. Maachis released first and became an overnight success, both critically and commercially. But I think by the time [things started falling apart], I had been through enough struggles. I knew how to take stardom in a very different way. I was more in it for the creative joy. The struggle and the journey, I feel, only make you a better artiste at the end of the day.
Q/ You started your career in an era when digital was almost non-existent. How do you see the changes in the entertainment industry over the last two decades?
A/ I feel lucky to have been able to witness the growth of the industry from the time of single screen theatres to multiplexes, to be able to work in television and now on streaming services. I feel there is a certain professionalism now that is very different. When I started, things were not as personalised as they are now. There is a lot of punctuality and consistency in the setup today. The acting workshops that happen now really help one in the final performance. Another thing that impressed me a lot is how the schedule was followed religiously. I think an actor can show his versatility now because there is so much content being produced. As an actor, you are not stereotyped. Just see how [someone like] Akshay Kumar is juggling so many genres. I think it is a great time to be a performer.