Shantanu Maheshwari: Working in Gangubai has taught me to be in the moment

Shantanu Maheshwari may have visited Delhi several times in the past, but the actor, host, and choreographer shares he is yet to explore the city. “Usually, I visit Delhi for work and leave in a day or two, so I don’t get much time for myself. I am yet to explore the city properly. But I’ve been to Old Delhi, and I love the food there. Next day, shayad stomach kharab ho jaye, but the food is worth upsetting your stomach,” he says. We caught up with Shantanu on his recent visit to the capital.

‘THERE’S NO ONE WAY OF DOING A SCENE’
Shantanu, who made his Bollywood debut with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Gangubai Kathiawadi, shares that his biggest learning as an actor in the film was to be in the moment. “Be in the moment, with whatever you might be doing. React to how the person in front of you is doing and, at the same time, prepare as much as possible, so you can comfortably go with the flow. Working on that movie also taught me that there is no one way of doing a scene. There can be multiple
ways and approaches to a scene,” says the actor, who played the role of Afsaan in the movie.

‘MY WORK HAS TAUGHT ME A LOT OF PATIENCE’
From TV to movies and OTT, the actor has tried different platforms in a career spanning more than a decade. The Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 8 winner explains that this period has taught him a lot of patience. “I got my first movie after spending almost ten years in the industry, and I couldn’t have asked for a better debut than Sanjay sir’s movie, alongside Alia Bhatt. The movie did so well. I think it’s important to trust the process and keep working hard. Just remain patient about the results. The industry is so competitive, you might feel like you are way behind your contemporaries and their achievements. But, if you remain true to your art, your art will give you back – this industry has taught me that. It is important to keep working on your art, and things will happen,” Shantanu says.

‘I HAVE BEEN TO PARANTHE WALI GALI’
We took Shantanu to Prabhu Chaat Bhandaar, popularly known as UPSC Chaat Wala, in Central Delhi, and the actor tried the famous aloo chaat and golgappe. “I love Chandni Chowk ka street food. The last time I was here, I went to Paranthe WalI Gali. I would like to explore the street food in this city that people keep talking about,” says the Dil Dosti Dance actor.