‘Perfect Pati’ actor Samarth Shandilya shifts focus to direction, ‘Lockdown gave me the opportunity to explore more than just being an actor’ - Exclusive

Samarth Shandilya, who was seen as Rangeela in TV show Perfect Pati, is now focusing on directing and writing. The actor faced some challenges during the first lockdown, due to which he shifted base to home town in Delhi.
Speaking to ETimes TV, Samarth said, “I had shot for two web series before the first lockdown happened. During the lockdown, I was left with no work and shifted back to Delhi and opened up a production house.I started making short films then. They earned recognition and awards too. I started taking it seriously. Lockdown gave me the opportunity to think outside of acting and explore my skills.”
The actor, who tied the knot with his longtime girlfriend Nishi Doshi in 2019, said that writing and direction wasn’t planned. He shared, “It wasn’t planned. When I was doing my last TV show – Perfect Pati, I got married post that show and was enjoying my marital life. Then I moved to a digital platform and then the lockdown happened. I am used to staying busy with work. But for the first time in 8-9 years, I found myself without work. It was a very alien feeling to me and I had just got married. With no shooting happening, you will not get casting calls. And once you get a show, you get paid after 90 days. That’s when I thought of taking it on myself. I started contemplating the idea of writing. I have been surrounded with great directors, writers and people from the industry. I hang around with them. They have done some brilliant work in the cinema. And now I am doing great.”
The actor did explain that though he was financially sound, his career prospects looked weak and that’s when he decided to take matters in his own hands. He said, “Though I have been financially sound because of my parents, I was worried about my career aspects and I panicked. Otherwise, it has been a learning experience.”
Currently, Samarth is working on a docu-series and about the project he says, “Now I have been approached by Dr. Narendra Kaushik. He is one of the leading surgeons for transgender surgeries. I am writing a docu series on him and preparations are on full swing.”
Speaking about taking up a project on TV, Samarth said, “I am in talking terms for a few TV series but I have something on the OTT platform. I am looking for interesting and challenging roles on TV.”