Actor Shashank Arora is in a happy space because he is enjoying doing his favourite thing — acting — on his own terms. He has been making all the right noises since the beginning of his career with films and shows like Titli, Brahman Naman, Manto and Made in Heaven.
The Telegraph recently caught up with Shashank for a chat about his upcoming web series Tanaav, which will premiere on SonyLIV tonight, his love for Kashmir and how he feels being the voice of the broken and oppressed Kashmiri in the SonyLIV thriller drama.
Whose voice do you represent in Tanaav?
Shashank Arora: I am the voice of the broken and oppressed — I play Junaid Alam Sheikh, who was born in Kashmir and is now stuck in a conflict which he didn’t choose, just like any other Kashmiri. He doesn’t want to be part of the whole fiasco and wants a normal life, but he’s stuck between two sides operating on the basis of greed.
An actor comes to realise different things daily. Has there been any realisation while you were shooting for Tanaav?
Shashank Arora: Yes, everything depends on who we are shooting with. I realised that the standpoint I had about Kashmir was right, that the two sides involved in the fiasco are the two sides of the same coin. I love Kashmir even more now and feel even sadder than ever before, thinking about what’s been happening there.
Have you seen Fauda from which Tanaav is adapted?
Shashank Arora: It’s a wonderful show. My sister saw it; I saw half of it. I will see the full show after Tanaav to find out what I have messed up (smiles).
Your Instagram bio says that ‘I am a political party’….
Shashank Arora: (Laughs aloud) People say don’t talk about politics, so I just wrote it.
What is the importance of being a politically aware actor in the country?
Shashank Arora: I don’t think there is a point in being an artist if you aren’t politically aware. It is not that the art must be political, but if the artist doesn’t understand what is going on in society…. We must hold a mirror in front of the audience; our job is to tell the story. Then it’s for the audience to feel something. Besides politics, an artist must also be socially and culturally aware, but they must remain unbiased and not pick any side.
Independent actors are considered serious. How would you break the myth?
Shashank Arora: These actors are serious because they don’t get work! All happiness goes away (smiles). I am not a serious person at all. My family and friends don’t take me seriously. Sometimes, I am choosy about work and at times — I am ready to do any work. I can’t be picky all the time; I must fend for myself and think about my future.
How has been your journey from Titli to Tanaav?
Shashank Arora: It’s beautiful. It’s a blessing. It’s been tough, but I won’t change a thing. I am happy that I am doing what I love. With OTT coming to the fore, there is another platform and space with a different structure. We have to make 400 minutes on OTT instead of 100 minutes in films. But we must treat this platform responsibly because quality deteriorates with quantity. I think everything depends on how we are going to treat this new platform. For my part, I am grateful that I am getting more work on OTT platforms than in films.
You have shared screen space with Irrfan Khan in The Songs of the Scorpions. What has stayed with you from the shoot days?
Shashank Arora: Oh, Irfaan Saab once made Gulkand halwa. Then we went flying kites near the Pokhran border. He was like that! (Smiles) I had the privilege of spending time with him, Naseeruddin Shah and Om Puri. I count myself lucky to learn from them, very early in my career. When they told me that I am a good actor, my ego got a massive boost.
You are a writer and into music. What’s next on that front?
Shashank Arora: I am almost finished writing the first feature film that I will direct. If someone gives me money, I will definitely make it. Though I participate in music-making with a few musicians sometimes, I never want to make money from this passion of mine.
