Tell us about yourself?
Well, I am a bit of an introvert, but fun loving and adventurous too!
What made you choose a career in acting?
So I didn't choose acting as a career, as it just happened by chance. I was dancing around, got noticed and then finally got chosen for this dance related show, due to which acting is my career now.
What are the challenges you have had to face in your acting career?
Proving myself as an actor has been the biggest challenge! As that is the most important aspect of being in this field, and getting appreciated for your work at the end of the day, proves that you have been able to live up the challenge of proving yourself!
How had the show D3 come to you?
I was actually auditioning for the India fest 3 years ago, when the team of Cinevistaas had come by looking for dancers for this new show. The casting director at that time Shristi Ma'am, had seen me, and liked me I guess, after which I was called in for an audition by them, after which selections, shortlisting etc happened, and now here I am!
Swayam' has become a very popular face now, so how does that feel? And how well do you relate with your character?
First of all, it feels great that Swayam' has become such a popular face and name now! The awesome response that my character has achieved is overwhelming and lovely, as people all over now refer to me as only Swayam' and not really as Shantanu. Secondly, in regard with how well I relate to Swayam, umm... at first, I never really understood my character to be honest. Why was he always so nice, why would he always be running behind Sharon etc etc, but as time passed I got into my character completely and now it's all very easy of course. Also, the fun masti moments Swayam indulges in, on the show, is all me! I am just like that. So, there are times when I can relate with my character, and there are also times when I can't really relate with my character.
Swayam and Sharon are the most loved couple on screen now, so how does that feel? And what is your bonding like with Vrushika Mehta as well as your initial bonding with Sneha Kapoor?
I am extremely happy with the response fans have given SwaRon', because they really do seem to be loving us! Its great to see their various reactions towards all the SwaRon moments on screen! And so I will say that the love they have given Swayam and Sharon is just commendable. Moving on to my rapport with Vrushika and Sneha, I will first start off with Sneha who was the very 1st Sharon I worked with. I can still say, that Sneha was the best! I mean, I would somehow always be very wary and kind of scared of Sneha when we were enacting our scenes, as she was just so good! Dialogues right, expressions perfect etc etc, and I would be the one always getting retakes done. Though we did have a lot of fun shooting together and shared a good rapport. Coming to Vrushika, she is the younger one, so it did start off with a lot of training for her from the team, and yes I too did guide her whenever needed, but she has evolved as an actor, and a good one, really fast! And we too do share a really good rapport and have some great fun while shooting.
Rey and Swayam are the Best' best friends jodi on screen so how does that feel, and how do you and Kunwar manage to put up the best friends chemistry on screen so well? Also, what is your rapport like with Kunwar?
Again I will say, it feels awesome that the audiences and fans are relating so well to, as well as loving Swayam and Rey's friendship bond on screen. You can say ReYam as they all call it now. Kunwar was the very 1st person I had met as well as interacted with, during the 1st day of our workshop after the selection process had taken place. So I guess from that day onward we just shared a great bond, because along with Sharon, Swayam has most of his scenes with Rey too, which just stuck for good then. And to be honest, I never believed in this Best' friend concept as such, but after D3 and the Swayam-Rey friendship bond on screen, it came to light that such things do exist and play a very important part too in the lives of many people! So soon after, it just became really easy to shoot with Kunwar as somehow we were and still are always in sync with each other. He understands what emotions I need to express very well and the same goes with me. So that's how all you guys get the awesome Rey-Swayam bonding on screen!
D3 recently completed 550 episodes and two and a half years of being on air so how does that feel?
It feels really really good on having completed 550 episodes and two and a half years of D3 being on air! It is really the best feeling ever! For me and the entire cast and crew as well. Though I would like to say that I feel, D3 hasn't got as much recognition and fame as it should have after it being on air for so long, as well as all our hard work. Yes it is the youth's most loved show though, but I always pray and hope that it scales to higher heights and becomes more even more famous than the popularity it has achieved right now.
According to the current track, Swayam-Sharon aren't together but Sharon is trying to woo Swayam back, which fans are happy about, so anything you would like to say to the fans about what's next in store for them?
Well, I am happy that fans are accepting and liking the change, that is Sharon's turn now, to woo Swayam back. We have got quite a good response to this track which is great! So all I can say is, even I am not aware of what next is in store for SwaRon, so fans should just wait and watch, as I guess whatever does happen next, will happen for the good!
Fun moments on the sets that you will always remember? And your favourite people from the cast and crew of D3?
Its been more than 2 years now since D3 has been on air, so there are endless fun and crazy moments which I will always remember! All the birthday celebrations, cake cuttings, picnics, masti while shooting, etc will always be very close to my heart! Though I remember the time we were shooting for one of the Diwali special episodes and I couldn't see properly as I wasn't very well, but had to still burst an Anar. The funny part was that I couldn't see the Anar only and was just roaming around trying to get somebody to help me and at the same time hoping to burst the Anar in the right place! It was one of the really funny moments I will always remember. Though there were lots more and still more to come! Now coming to my favourite person from the cast and crew, well I am really fond of Maci (Nilesh), Amar (Amar) and Vrushika (Sharon) as we always have a great time and get along really well. From the crew, there are a lot of people, Palki Ma'am, Danish, Taahir Bhai, Ashish, Shahid Bhai. Actually, its basically the entire D3 team as we are all like one big family!
Any special fan moments on or off set that you will always remember?
There was this one time I was shooting a scene at Gateway Of India with a band aid on my head, and a few people happened to recognize me and got so concerned on seeing that band aid, that they came over and were like "Oh My God It's Shantanu, it's Swayam, what happened to him, he's hurt". I had to then explain to them that I was completely fine and this was just the requirement of the scene. It's really overwhelming to see such concern, care and love from the fans and so as this is just one moment I happened to have remembered, all the others too, like fans visiting the sets, or meeting us outside, will always be very very special to me.
Rapid Fire:
What is your typical day like?
Shooting, shooting and shooting!
Favourite Dish?
Any homemade food.
Favourite Bollywood Actor?
Aamir Khan, Naseeruddin Shah and Nawazuddin Siddiqui.
Favourite Bolllywood Actress?
Vidya Balan!
Favourite TV Show?
D3 of course, Comedy nights with Kapil and the Big Bang Theory.
Favourite Film?
Captain Phillips!
Favourite D3 performance till now?
The Kya Kare Ya Na Kare' one!
When is your Birthday?
7th March.
What is your sun-sign?
I am a Pisces.
Finally, a message for all the fans who love you?
Thank you would be a very small word for the all the fans who have done so so much for us, but I would still like to thank them all for the love and affection they have always shown us. It is commendable and overwhelming and will always be. Their reactions to our characters on screen, their love for us and criticism too is something I will always remember and cherish, and so love them all!
Fan Fictions
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
