Be it a film, a web show or music video, actor Shantanu Maheshwari wants to be a part of only quality-driven projects. After wrapping up a schedule of director Neeraj Pandey’s Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha, Shantanu is currently shooting another leg of the Bengali thriller Chaalchitro in his hometown Kolkata. We spoke to Shantanu about his new youth web show, Amazon miniTV’s Campus Beats, and his film projects.

You have a very hectic work schedule right now. How are you managing?

Shantanu Maheshwari: I love it! (Laughs) I like this kind of schedule. I like to be busy. Some people think I am acting pricey but that’s not it. I believe when I am somewhere or doing something, I should give my hundred per cent.

This year has kept you on your toes…

Shantanu Maheshwari: It has been good and lovely. I am thankful and grateful that I can keep myself busy and I am able to do quality work. I try to learn new things and improve my skills.

It took 10 years for you to change your hairstyle! How did your close ones react?

Shantanu Maheshwari: It’s more than 10 years! It was a mixed reaction. I was mentally ready for it, so it’s not like I regretted it. Change was needed. My parents didn’t know about it as I was shooting outside Mumbai. My mother had a big shock when I reached home. My father was very happy as he always wanted me to keep my short hair like him. Friends and family were divided. There were phases when they said I looked good while sometimes they thought the long hair was better. It’s only hair. It will grow back.

Are you missing your long hair?

Shantanu Maheshwari: Yeah, I am waiting for it to grow back as I like my long hair. The breeze feels different now. I am trying to go back to my old look. But I have mostly got positive feedback for this short hair look.

After working in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Gangubai Kathiawadi and Tooth Pari on Netflix, what made you pick a youth show like Campus Beats on Amazon miniTV?

Shantanu Maheshwari: I think it’s the need of the hour. Campus Beats is a clean, youth show. It’s important to not have just dark shows to stream online. It’s a breezy show like the ones back in our times. It’s relevant to what is happening around such as mental health issues and social media problems. The story is well-written by Palki Malhotra. I am very critical of dance-based shows and movies, so it’s a fresh take on dance and problems on campus.

Is it a conscious call to continue doing the youth shows you had started off with alongside films and web shows, or is it all happening organically?

Shantanu Maheshwari: Yes, it’s a mix of both. My concentration is on doing quality work. If there’s something good, I would love to be a part of it. I go to campus events just out of love. There are no monetary aspects involved in them. If I feel the calling, I go for it. I want to entertain people. When we did Dil Dosti Dance, we didn’t expect anything. None of us knew that it would become a cult show. People still talk about it even after so many years and want the characters to come alive. It was a passion project just like Campus Beats.

You are back on the sets of your Tooth Pari director Pratim D. Gupta for his Bengali thriller Chaalchitro. What were your thoughts when you said yes to a Bengali film?

Shantanu Maheshwari: Pratim sir’s story drew me. He is a great storyteller. Hailing from the city, I have been wanting to do something in Kolkata for the longest time and have been trying to brush up my Bengali. Pratim sir provided the confidence and hence Chaalchitro happened.

Tell us about the bonding happening on the Chaalchitro sets, especially with co-actor Tota Roy Choudhury, who has received a lot of love for his performance in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani.

Shantanu Maheshwari: I can say a lot of things about Tota sir. He is a very sweet, humble, down-to-earth and soft-spoken person. What we have in common is dance and we have been talking about it as well. I didn’t shoot with him for a while, but I will begin shooting with him now.

Talking about your auditions, is it easier than before?

Shantanu Maheshwari: It does help because there’s awareness. I am no longer someone that nobody knows about. People can see my work but it’s not easy because I must crack and deliver. There’s no shortcut.

You started off young. After working for over a decade, how do you choose projects and how has your outlook changed over time?

Shantanu Maheshwari: I aspire to do quality work. The audience has connected with me because I have always picked entertaining work that has some quality attached to it. With experience, one becomes secure to explore the craft and understand one’s own potential. My outlook changes but my hunger to do quality work doesn’t change. I want to work with good people and keep delivering.