What do you get when you blend soul-searching with sharp wit, wrap it in the charm of old-world cinema, and throw in a deep love for theatre, travel, and chai? You get Chandan Roy Sanyal, the delightfully unpredictable actor who’d happily swap lives with Pluto the cartoon dog just to nap in peace, romance Aishwarya Lekshmi on-screen, and sneak away to Chile’s mountains if the clock were ticking on his last 24 hours. Chandan opens up about everything from childhood regrets and crushes left unspoken, to why he’d love to be a donkey and why Devdas is the role he’d trade the world for. Buckle up, this one’s as wild, wise, and whimsical as the man himself.
1 If you were to write a book, what would it be about?
If I were to write a book, it would be about how theatre could become a religion if people started studying it from an early age.
2. How do you want loved ones to remember you?
I want my loved ones to remember me as a comedian, someone funny, with a big heart and a love for food and travel.
3 If you could host a party with three people, dead or alive, who would you invite?
Mahavatar Babaji, Charlie Chaplin and Guru Dutt.
4. If you had only 24 hours to live, what would you do?
I would travel to Chile in South America and get lost in the beauty of the mountains.
5. What is the one thing you know now that you wish you knew when you were younger?
I wish I had known how to talk to people. I was too shy and silent. There were so many thoughts I couldn’t express.
6 If you could be transformed into one animal, which one would you choose?
A donkey. I really like to be an ass. I think donkeys are the cutest and most misunderstood animals. They deserve more appreciation.
7. Which is the one movie you wish you could have been a part of?
Sagar by Ramesh Sippy. I’d love to play Kamal Haasan’s character, Raja.
8. Is there a role you’d give up anything to play?
Devdas or Dev.D. I’d give up anything to play a die-hard romantic.
9 One recent on-screen performance you loved the most?
I loved Fahadh Faasil’s performance in Aavesham.
10 One Bollywood star you’re dying to work with?
Aamir Khan— I’d love to work with him.
11. Which was the last film that made you cry?
Any specific scene? I recently watched an Italian film, Happy As Lazzaro by Alice Rohrwacher and it made me cry.
12. A film you saw recently that you thought was overrated…
Joker 2. I think it was really overhyped. Joker is a very interesting character and Joaquin Phoenix played the role well. But I thought the director lost the grip on the plot and storytelling. Because I didn’t feel connected to the plight of the Joker and the people around him.
13 If your life were a movie, which one would it be?
Rajnigandha (1974). It’s a beautiful love story that explores how love can return to you in unexpected ways, touching on the many shades and definitions of love. Basu Bhattacharya’s captures the quiet romance of the 1970s with stunning authenticity. Amol Palekar and Vidya Sinha deliver deeply natural performances that stay with you. Every time I watch the film, it feels like I’m living inside it. And when I hear the music, it plays not just in my ears but inside my mind, as if it’s part of my own real life.
14. A grey male onscreen character you wish you were in real life?
Bhiku Mhatre from Satya. I was in college and doing theatre when the film came out and that performance made me understand what acting in front of the camera should be.
15. The worst criticism you’ve ever received about yourself?
I’m never really criticised for my acting.
16 One actress you want to romance on screen?
Aishwarya Lekshmi. I think she’s a brilliant actor.
17 The Bollywood celeb you’d want as a neighbour?
Bobby Deol. He’d be a great neighbour. Bobby has really great speakers. I love sound and music, and he has an amazing music system and his home has amazing stuff. The kind of stuff a house needs. You know, I’ve had the chance to go to his house and eat there several times and the food is absolutely delicious. He has a very beautiful garden. So yeah, good food, good music and good cheese. Everything you’ll want in an ideal neighbour.
18. If you were a journalist, who’s the first actor you would like to interview? And why?
Mr Kamal Haasan. I’d love to understand his work and craft through a one-on-one conversation.
19. What’s the one thing you’d ask Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn?
Shah Rukh Khan: Where do you get your unstoppable energy from? Akshay Kumar: How do you manage to stay so fit? Salman Khan: Where does your style come from? Ajay Devgn: Where do you get that intensity from?
20. Three things you do on set…
I listen to music, take a nap after lunch, and sip my chai just before a shot.
21. What’s the funniest thing that’s happened to you on a film set?
Once on the set of F.A.L.T.U., Remo (D’Souza) sir and everyone played a prank on me. The prank was that I had the day off and had stayed up really late the night before because I knew I didn’t have a shoot the next day. But Ritesh (Deshmukh) and Remo sir teamed up and sent an assistant to my place at 7 in the morning saying, ‘Your shoot’s been rescheduled.’ So I went to the set, got into costume, did my makeup, and got fully ready. Then they all started laughing and said, ‘You don’t have a shoot today, go home. Everyone had a great time and was incredibly in sync as a team while we were shooting the film. It was fantastic and truly enjoyable.
22. What’s one lie you told your parents?
When I first moved to Mumbai, I told them I was doing really well, even though I wasn’t, just to make them feel secure.
23. If you could talk in your sleep, what would you say?
“Which planet am I on?” I travel in my sleep.
24. If you could commit one crime without being caught, what would it be?
Steal a few Tom Ford suits and then get caught anyway.
25.. If you were to lose your memory, what’s the one thing or person you’d happily forget?
Some of my childhood memories.
26. If you could go back in time, what advice would you give teenage Chandan?
Don’t study Mathematics. Go for Hindi Honours at St. Stephen’s College.
27. What’s your one annoying habit?
One habit I’ve been trying to break for quite some time is napping in the afternoon. Growing up as a Bengali boy in a traditional Bengali household, I was accustomed to a particular routine. After coming home from school, I’d have lunch, and then my mother and I would take a nap. No matter where I am, whether in any part of the world or on a shoot, I always look forward to that afternoon meal followed by a quick nap.
28. One thing you’d love to change about yourself…
I’d love to speak louder and be more audible.
29. One flaw that makes you imperfectly perfect?
I’m very gullible. I trust people easily. It can be good or bad, I don’t know.
30. What makes you nostalgic?
My uncle bringing music records from abroad and playing them on the gramophone.
31. What’s been your worst date?
I don’t recall any bad ones. My dates have always been’
quite lively.
32. One mistake you’d never repeat in relationship?
Giving away too much power. One should always stay in control of their emotions.
33. Professional mistakes you’ll never make again…
Taking myself too seriously in what I do.
34. What’s your most useless talent?
I’m a clean freak. I love keeping my house spotless and cooking my own meals.
35. What if someone of the same sex hit on you?
I’d acknowledge it with a lot of respect.
36. What’s more important to you—money or fame? And why?
Fame. It brings money along with it.
37. What’s your idea of perfect happiness?
A peaceful mind with zero thoughts.
38. The worst criticism you’ve ever received about yourself…
That I think too highly of myself—which I don’t believe I do.
39. What’s the weirdest thing you’ve Googled?
I sometimes look up the strangest health symptoms online.
40. Who are the people who can truly control Chandan Roy Sanyal?
I don’t think anyone can, spiritually, I practise detachment.
Also Read: "It’s The Selfless Nature Of Women I Find Very Amazing" - Chandan Roy Sanyal
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