Alia gave me the space to do what I wanted with my role: Shantanu
Working with a talented and renowned actor like Alia Bhatt can be a daunting experience for any newcomer. However, Shantanu Maheshwari, who recently shared screen space with Alia in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Gangubai Kathiawadi”, has expressed his gratitude towards the actress for making him feel comfortable and providing him with the freedom to bring his character to life.
In an interview with a leading publication, Shantanu spoke about his experience of working with Alia and how she gave him the space to do what he wanted with his role. “Alia allowed me the space to do what I wanted to with my character,” he said. “I was no one…she could’ve ignored me…but she made sure to make me comfortable…that was…helpful,” he further added.
Shantanu, who played the role of a young journalist in the film, revealed that he was initially nervous about sharing screen space with Alia, given her immense talent and popularity. However, Alia’s warm and welcoming nature put him at ease, allowing him to focus on his performance and bring his character to life.
“I was really nervous about working with Alia, to be honest,” Shantanu admitted. “But she was so down-to-earth and friendly that it made me feel comfortable. She didn’t make me feel like I was an outsider or that I was beneath her. She treated me like an equal, which was really helpful.”
Shantanu’s character in “Gangubai Kathiawadi” is that of a young journalist who is tasked with writing a story about Gangubai’s life. Shantanu’s role is a significant one in the film, as it provides a glimpse into Gangubai’s past and her struggles as a sex worker.
While Shantanu’s character is a crucial part of the film, he revealed that he was initially hesitant to take on the role. However, Alia’s encouragement and support helped him to overcome his doubts and deliver a memorable performance.
“I was initially hesitant to take on the role because I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to do justice to the character,” Shantanu confessed. “But Alia was really supportive and encouraging. She made me feel like I was doing something special, and that helped me to overcome my doubts and bring my character to life.”
Shantanu’s experience of working with Alia is a testament to the actress’s reputation for being a kind and supportive co-star. In the past, several actors have spoken about the positive experience they had working with Alia, including Varun Dhawan, Ranveer Singh, and Shahid Kapoor.
While “Gangubai Kathiawadi” is Alia’s first film with Bhansali, Shantanu has previously worked with the director on his TV show “Dil Dost Hai”. Shantanu revealed that Bhansali’s guidance and mentorship played a significant role in his growth as an actor, and that he was grateful for the opportunity to work with the director again.
“Bhansali sir is an incredible director and mentor,” Shantanu said. “He has a way of bringing out the best in his actors, and I feel really lucky to have had the opportunity to work with him again. He pushed me to give my best performance, and I’m grateful for that.”
In conclusion, Shantanu’s experience of working with Alia Bhatt in “Gangubai Kathiawadi” is a testament to the actress’s reputation for being a kind and supportive co-star. Alia’s willingness to give her co-stars the space to do what they wanted with their roles is a rare quality in the film industry, and Shantanu is grateful to have had the opportunity to work with her.
As Shantanu himself said, “Alia allowed me the space to do what I wanted to with my character. I was no one…she could’ve ignored me…but she made sure to make me comfortable…that was…helpful.” This kind of support and encouragement is essential for actors to grow and thrive in their careers, and Shantanu is grateful to have had the opportunity to experience it firsthand.
