Exclusive - Chetan Hansraj: During the lockdown at one point, I was on the verge of having nothing in my account

Chetan Hasraj, who is currently seen in the second season of Mann Ki Awaaz Pratigya, is very excited playing a Haryanvi character. The actor, who was not there in the first season, is all praise for the way the show is being shot. In an exclusive chat with ETimes TV, the actor talks about his role, shooting in the pandemic, losing his close friend Kushal Punjabi last year. Chetan shared in the interview that he utilised the free time during the lockdown but also mentioned how 2020 was financially, the toughest year for him. (Photo: Instagram)

Pratigya season was a big hit and it is a challenge for all of us to recreate that monumental hit. That’s a challenge to live up to it and succeed. My character is very ruthless, the dialect is very heavy. For a week or 10 days I practised with one of the writers. He taught me how to say it, what the pitch is and how laid back the accent is. I am having a lot of fun playing it. The accent is a little bit hard, it has crudeness and I am loving every bit of it. Initially, the language was a bouncer for me but then he started recording and sending to me. For the first six-seven episodes I asked them to do it because I wanted to get used to the language. Honestly, for television this is fantastic, the way they are building up the character and things are going right now and whatever we have shot, it is not like a daily soap, it looks more like a web show. The story line is very strong. (Photo: Instagram)

We all are entertainers and it is our job to entertain people who are sitting at home. In a way we are front line workers because we are shooting with 300 people and every time it is not possible to wear a mask. But we can’t stop working. We saw we had to stop for 6-7 months it became so tough. I had the toughest year financially and in all other aspects. It was shocking as it has never happened with any of us ever. I think it was with everyone. (Photo: Instagram)

In the beginning it was very challenging because I had not shot from November of 2019. And it was a one and half year break till the time I did not get Brahmarakshas 2. I was chanting all the time and thinking positively. I have been an actor for 41 years now so I’ve seen the wave in my career. So I’ve got immune to it. But I did not let the time I had go waste. I utilised the time and learnt computer languages as I have interest in computer game designing. I completely studied my computer game designer courses. (Photo: Instagram)

Right, now I am starting a company which makes real time VFX and it is called ChillyFX because my nickname is Chilly and all my friends call me that. This is a game designing software which is now used by virtual production. I am starting a company where we will do real-time VFX and it will be amazing for television and films because a lot of time goes into post production. This will happen right on the sets in your camera in real time. I have really poured my heart into this, I am really excited. (Photo: Instagram)

When I got Brahmarakshas, I was happy to start work but I was also scared. It was very risky as I didn’t know what would happen if I got infected and gave it to others in the family. It was a risk as we have elders and kids at home. But you have to have faith that you are going to work as the supporter of the family. You have to be confident that this is my duty and I have to go to work. I will take all the precautions but something has to happen, I can’t stop it or sit at home all the time. (Photo: Instagram)

I am not exaggerating but I was on the verge of having nothing in my account at one point. Because you may have worked for all those years, but you also have your investments stuck. At one point when everything is going down your economy, the share market you are hand to mouth. At such a time the universe teaches you that no matter how rich you are, we all are equal. I never got upset or depressed or started complaining because I know I was blessed to have a house, food, family. We saw what happened to the migrants who came here for work. The situation was worse for many. I remember after the first day of lockdown, me and my wife went to Sahakari Bhandar and bought 10 kgs rice and dal. But we did not over stock. We just stocked the basic stuff like oil and food. We can still sit and contemplate but people who were living alone things got difficult for them. We had family to talk to and I feel you have to be grateful for whatever you have in life. (Photo: Instagram)

I take extra precautions when I am on sets. If I see someone not wearing a mask I tell them once or twice and the third time I just walk out. Luckily, on both the shows where I worked Brahmarakshas and Pratigya this situation has never arose. If you don’t wear a mask, I will have to wear a mask and I can’t shoot with a mask. Everyone on the sets have the luxury to wear a mask but we actors don’t because it messes up makeup. I tell them if one of you doesn't wear a mask, they are going to ruin things for everyone. (Photo: Instagram)

Yes, it was a very difficult time. After we lost Kushal Punjabi, the lockdown and pandemic happened. Kushal and I had been friends for 20-22 years and losing him was, I don’t know I don’t have words. My whole world just shattered and till today I am in shock when I think about it. I still feel I am here buddy you could have told me something whatever you were going through. One part of me just broke and something like that happened. Especially, when we went there with his father at his house and what we all encountered was very difficult for my mind. But I chanted a lot to help me come back to reality. I chanted for him and his family and now I am at peace. I know wherever he is, he is happy. (Photo: Instagram)