12 May,2026 03:29 PM IST | Mumbai | Aakruti Bagla
Chitrangada Satarupa (Pic/By Special Arrangement)
Chitrangada Satarupa has done some fine work in Hindi and Bengali cinema and is now all set to showcase her acting prowess in Main Actor Nahin Hoon, co-starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui. The actress plays an acting coach to Nawazuddin, and she admitted feeling intimidated by the actor. In an exclusive chat with mid-day, she recalled her struggles, the casting couch in the industry, and her unreleased film Sa with Arijit Singh.
Chitrangada Satarupa spoke candidly about the excitement and intimidation of sharing screen space with Nawazuddin Siddiqui, calling the experience deeply enriching and almost theatrical in nature.
"I was initially very excited because the film came to me as a character opposite Nawazuddin Siddiqui. That itself is exciting for any actor," she said.
Satarupa admitted that playing an acting coach opposite an actor of Siddiqui's calibre, especially someone with a background from the National School of Drama, felt intimidating at first. "While reading the script, I was already imagining Nawazuddin as the other character because I knew the casting. Naturally, while reading for the female lead, I was imagining how I would perform the part. It gave me immense joy because it was such a difficult role, and he is one of my favourite actors ever. I've always looked up to him."
Recalling when she first became a fan of Siddiqui's work, Satarupa said she was deeply impressed by his performance in Kahaani. "Then Gangs of Wasseypur released, and I was completely blown away. I thought, âHe's such an incredible actor.'"
Chitrangada Satarupa also reflected on the struggles of being stereotyped in the film industry, saying casting decisions are often based on appearances rather than an actor's actual range. She noted that unless filmmakers are willing to properly test actors and break their preconceived notions, many performers remain confined to limited roles despite their capabilities.
Chitrangada Satarupa opened up about encountering casting couch culture early in her career, while also stressing that it is possible to survive in the industry without compromising one's integrity.
"Not just me, but many actors I know have faced such situations indirectly. Early in my career, I encountered one or two incidents where inappropriate suggestions were made indirectly," she said.
Satarupa added that several actors doing meaningful work today have managed to build their careers through patience and honesty. At the same time, she recalled one particularly disturbing incident involving a regional film industry casting representative. "At the beginning of my career, I received a nasty offer directly from someone associated with regional cinema casting. They asked me over the phone, âWill you stay with the director in the hotel?' I was shocked. I immediately reacted by saying I could even go to the police over such a call."
She also noted that, in her experience, the Hindi film industry has felt comparatively healthier than some regional film industries in terms of such practices.
Chitrangada Satarupa fondly recalled her experience of working with Arijit Singh on his directorial debut, Sa, describing him as a perfectionist and an artist deeply passionate about cinema.
"It was many years ago when I worked with him, and I was very young then. Since we only knew him as a musical personality, I had no idea what he would be like as a director. But I was genuinely surprised and extremely impressed by his perfectionism," she said.
Satarupa praised Singh's clarity of vision and artistic discipline. "He is an absolute perfectionist and a true artist. He wants everything to be a certain way, and that vision is very clear in his head. I think that's one of the most important qualities for a director."
The actor also spoke about Singh's humility despite his immense popularity. "Not for a single moment would you feel that he is one of the most loved playback singers in the country, or even the world. He is so grounded and humble in the way he lives and treats people. It's genuinely beautiful."
Recalling meeting him again a couple of years ago during discussions around the film's post-production, Satarupa said Singh remained deeply emotionally invested in the project.
