Self-pity was never an option: Shantanu Maheshwari

In an industry that often puts performers into fixed boxes, Shantanu Maheshwari has been trying to break out of that mould. Starting as a dancer on television with Dil Dosti Dance, he has steadily moved into acting across films, web series and international projects, expanding beyond his early image.

Reflecting on the shift in perception, Shantanu admits it was not sudden. “It has been a gradual progression. Initially, I consciously wanted to keep things balanced — dancing and acting — because there was already a perception that I could only do dancing roles or only act in a certain space. It took a little time, but things fell into place beautifully.”

For him, the two disciplines are closely linked. “Dance introduced me to acting. It gave me rhythm and timing, and a certain calmness in performance. Acting, in turn, helped me express myself better through movement,”

he shares. However, the transition from being seen as a television dancer to being accepted as an actor in films was far from easy.

“I respect people who’ve done this before me, because they’re the ones who give you the motivation. But it was tough. I remember I had film projects in hand and then got removed from them for no real reason. It hurt and was frustrating, but self-pity was never an option. I don’t like to victimise myself. I believe in working on myself, becoming better, so that next time I don’t give them the option to replace me,” he says.

Looking back at his journey, there is more gratitude than anything else. “I’m happy I’ve stayed relevant, sustained myself in this industry, and earned the belief that I can dance and act, with nothing restricting me. If that belief exists among people today, then I must be doing something right,” he says, adding, “I just want to stay focused on my work. I want to take on roles that challenge me, push boundaries and feel meaningful.”