From pastime to profession and livelihood to motive of life, for actor Chandan Roy Sanyal acting has been an integral part of his life. Born and brought up in Delhi, Chandan hails from a Bengali family and is known for his work in the Hindi and Bengali language films of India. After graduating with a 
degree in mathematics, he made his acting debut in the 2006 release Rang de Basanti. After working in more than two dozen films and a handsome number of web series, Chandan feels that the 2013 release Prague has been the most challenging character till date, and he is yet to play the most difficult character on-screen. In a free-wheeling conversation with TMM, the actor celebrates his 20 years in the City of Dreams.
You have recently completed 20 years in Mumbai. What do you make out of these 20 years in the ‘City of Dreams’?
It’s the city which makes you drive and look for work. I always wanted to act, so it’s the only place I could think of to be in. There are great memories, lots of deception, lots of failures, few successes, heartbreaks, and moments of joy and happiness. Now that I can recall all of it, I think I can write a book about my journey one day. (laughs)
How did Ray happen to you? Tell us about the preparation that went into essaying the character.
The casting director of the film called me and said, “There is a film that you should do, it’s a great part and is directed by Vasan Bala and it has Harshvardhan Kapoor.” I said, “Why not?” For a long time, I wanted to work with Vasan and when I got to know that the venture is for Netflix and it’s a masterpiece on Satyajit Ray, I felt I am mean for it. That’s how I got into the show. As far as preparation is concerned, I did it all under the guidance of Vasan. I read the script in and out. I watched most of Ray’s films so that I could identify with Robi Ghosh’s character, who was there in most of his films. He was a comedian; I thought that I should base my character on his screen persona. I watched his acts and shared the idea with Vasan and he really liked it. That’s how it came into existence.
Was acting always on the list? How and when did the passion for acting happen to you?
Acting was never on the list. It was a pastime activity. I belong to a Bengali family in which everybody gets into some kind of play or music or cultural activity. My mother used to act in plays. That’s how we got into the cultural aspects of acting. In college, I started acting on stage then I started watching a lot of plays, read a lot of plays and I had started enjoying the whole world of theatre and actors. I felt very shy on the stage, but at the same time, I used to feel very powerful and confident. From pastime, it became a hobby, then passion, then profession, livelihood, and now it’s my life.
You have established yourself in the Bengali film industry too. How different it is from Bollywood?
Bengali films are different – the budgets are small, there are small units and everybody knows each other. The budgets are really lower compared to Hindi films, but yes, the food is extremely amazing. It’s a great feeling; the industry gives you a sense of belongingness. The film work is slow and steady, but I like the lethargy of it. There’s not much rush, pressure, or competition.
With what motive did you start the Proscenium Film Company?
After Kaminey, I didn’t get much work. I was doing small parts in films one after the other. It was quite a struggle and I was not happy and I wanted to do more. I was neither on the poster nor in the trailer. I said this can’t go on; I can’t be doing just this all my life. I was getting appreciated but that’s not what I wanted to do. I started writing my own screenplay. I directed and produced a lot of plays. I thought of making films on my own, and then I started making short films. I made films like Hiroshima, Azad, So Sicily and many more. I started working on various stories for feature films as well.
Are you a director’s actor or you prefer adding in your inputs in the character as well?
Actor and director both! As an actor, I am completely guided by the director. I always give my input to the directors. As I’m growing wiser with every film, I feel like knowing a bit more in terms of filmmaking. Film acting is a very different role than a director’s, which requires an understanding of the lens, the lighting, editing, the continuity, and more. I am learning more and more with every passing day.
Which is the most difficult character to play till date and why? Share details.
I think I am yet to play my most difficult character. But I really feel I invested myself in a film called Prague which was quite difficult. For a month, we were shooting in Prague and I was playing the character of a schizophrenic, depressed patient. I did a lot of preparation; I fell sick after the film. It took me a while to recover from that part and character. Prague is very important in my life.
Silver screen or OTT, which one sounds promising to you as an actor and why?
It’s not that I prefer one but surely OTT has given me lots of exposure, fans, and the audiences love. I have got 10 times than I used to get in films. All the hard work is paying off thanks to the OTT space. Now people call me for bigger roles, I am on the poster, I am in the trailer and I am also someone who matters on the set. Cinema is something that I have grown up watching and I want to do more of it. I think I’m still to do something worthwhile in films. I got appreciated for my parts but I want to do bigger roles and kill it!
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
I see myself making my own films and having my own production company. In the coming years, I want to act, direct and produce my own films. I think it will happen, it’s almost there. I worked hard for it for almost eight years. I couldn’t have made a film then, because I was not good enough as a filmmaker but with growing time and working with different directors I feel like I know a bit about filmmaking.
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