He hasn’t any formal training in acting, yet delivers impressive performance for the character of Kesar he has played in the upcoming film Saankal.
20 something, the 5 feet 8 inches boy Chetan Sharma stands tall at the International Film Festivals where his film Saankal received overwhelming response.
Saankal is based on a true story about the exploitation of women in a remote village in Rajasthan. The women are supposed to get married within their own community, no matter whatever the age of the boy is. A woman is forced to get married to a 10 year old boy as per the age-old traditions of their ‘Kabila”(community).
The character of Kesar is portrayed over 3 age groups, out of which he plays the adolescent and then a middle aged villager.
When inquired who is his inspiration, Chetan says, “I am highly inspired by the roles Robert DeNero plays, and in Bollywood, Anupam Kher is my role model for the character played in his first film.”
Chetan recalls about his entry into the filmy town, “My daddy is my mentor, my inspiration, and he guided me and was physically present in the initial workshops in filmy industry.”
How challenging was it? “As I have a theatre background, and some work in films in the past, I did not find it challenging as such. However, as a part of my research, I went and stayed with the rural folk in Rajasthan to understand their peculiarities.” was Chetan’s reply.
The ten year old Kesar is unaware of what is happening to him, when he is married to Abeera. Sometime later on, when he goes to a porn parlour, he begins to develop some feelings towards his ‘wife’.
Chetan talks about the most difficult moment in the film Saankal, “The particular scene where Kesar confronts his father is an intense moment in the film. Just imagine, the same father whom the boy worshiped, now appears like a demon to the boy. It was equally difficult to enact it. His father reacts totally unexpectedly in the scene, as the dad himself tells the boy that he is now grown up and to take his own decisions in life.”
Chetan ends up complementing his director, “With limited resources, Bhanuji has made a magnificent film. The audience at the international film festivals was touched after the screenings.
Pursuing his Bachelors in Commerce from University of Delhi, the multi-talented Chetan, apart from doing voice overs and dubbing for Prime Focus Entertainment and UTV Motion Pictures, he already has an impressive list of films done:
Filmography:
– ‘BAND BAAJA BARAAT’, a Yashraj Productions Film.
– Saankal ( Shackle ) as main lead. The film has been directed by Mr. Dedipya Joshii under the production of Pisceann Pictures.
– ‘PARCHED’ (post production) – Directed by Ms. LEENA YADAV and cinematography by Mr. RUSSELL CARPENTER (of TITANIC fame).
– ANKHON DEKHI, directed by RAJAT KAPOOR, Played the role of Anil
– ‘LANKA’ (VIKRAM BHATT Production) directed by MAQBOOL KHAN
– ‘SIDDHARTH’, a POOR MAN PRODUCTION Directed by RICHIE MEHTA
Television:
TV commercial for MICROSOFT’s advert for WINDOWS 8
TV commercial for DOMINO’S PIZZA
THEATRE:
TUGHLAQ (acted in 8 shows), directed by Bhanu Bharti alongwith its lead cast – Yashpal Sharma, Himani Shivpuri, etc.
Performed as Shri Krishan a mythological light and sound show for three years under direction of Prem Matiyani, former alumni, FTII, Pune
