Hastinapur Ke Veer's Chandan Anand: Shakuni is a magician of words; his greatest strength lies in concealing his true intentions

Newly launched magnum opus Hastinapur Ke Veer, brings alive the untold early years of the Pandavas and Kauravas, exploring the relationships, upbringing and ambitions that shaped the destiny of Hastinapur. Chandan Anand breathes life into one of the more interesting characters in the world of Hastinapur, whose impact changed the fate of the Kauravas and Pandavas, as viewers begin their journey into the world of Mahabharat.

He is remembered for his intelligence and for being persuasive and a few steps ahead of everyone else. Shakuni was one of the most influential people in Hastinapur. Chandan Anand took time to understand the personality of Shakuni and the qualities that make him one of the most memorable characters to be able to portray such a layered character on screen. Chandan worked on multiple aspects of the character – from body language to the way he speaks – to bring a sense of realism and depth to his role in Hastinapur Ke Veer.

Talking about his preparation for the role, Chandan Anand shared, “While preparing for Shakuni, I spent a lot of time understanding what truly makes him powerful. To me, Shakuni is a magician of words. His greatest strength lies in concealing his true intentions. He subtly influences everyone around him through what he says. There’s a saying, ‘Shabd sambhal kar rakhiye, shabd ke haath na paanv. Ek shabd malham kare ek kare hai ghaanv’ (Be careful with your words, words have no hands or feet. One word can heal, another can cause a wound.) Understanding this aspect helped me shape the way Shakuni thinks, speaks and manipulates situations. I also introduced a special clap as one of his signature mannerisms, inspired by a gesture my grandfather used to make. It felt very personal, and somehow perfectly aligned with Shakuni’s personality. These small nuances help me connect more authentically with the character and make his presence on screen more memorable.”