Shailja Chaturvedi discusses her character in Sankalp and shares why she finds the role relatable. She also reveals what she learnt from observing Nana Patekar during shoot
Shailja Chaturvedi
Actress Shailja Chaturvedi, known for Dil Dosti Finance, Dreamcatcher, and Fisaddi, is currently seen in Sankalp on MX Player, alongside Nana Patekar, Mohd. Zeeshan Ayyub and Kubbra Sait.
Shailja Chaturvedi talks about her character in Sankalp
Reflecting on what drew her to the project, she shared, “I moved to Mumbai in late 2022 from Hyderabad, after working on a few Telugu films like Madha, Major, and Seetha Ramam. Mumbai was a fresh territory to build my mark, and I auditioned as much as I could. Then a team member from Shruti Mahajan Casting called for this project by Prakash Jha. Playing the youth of Meghna Malik in a show by him was beyond exciting. Though the part is small, it felt hugely substantial, and I wanted to be important to the story. The opportunity was inspiring and close to my heart.”
Speaking about her character, she explained, “I play Young Suhasini, a politically aware university student who is both rebellious and empathetic. She stands her ground and supports those she cares about, especially her friendship with Kanhaiya Lal, played by Nana Patekar. The role felt close to my own experiences, having studied at BHU, and the university setting in Prayagraj felt like home. This was very different from my previous roles, rooted in political thought and activism, making the journey exciting and deeply fulfilling.”
Opening up about observing senior actors on set, she said, “Being part of the ensemble, I didn’t always share space with Nana Sir or Meghna Ma’am, but I observed their shoots closely. Acting is observing, and seeing their ease and mastery was like a live masterclass. I also joined team lunches and breaks to feel part of this fraternity. It gave me confidence and belief that I belong in this space, especially coming from a small-town background and transitioning from a corporate career.”
Shailja Chaturvedi talks about her acting journey
Opening about her acting journey, she says, “Honestly, my journey has been nothing like I imagined. I came from a conventional mindset, even worked at Infosys, but the actor in me never stopped. When I entered films with Madha, I had no idea how the industry worked—no guidance, no roadmap, just belief. There have been far more rejections than I expected, and I had to figure everything out on my own. But I stayed blindly optimistic. Today, I feel less lost and more at home in Mumbai. I truly believe persistence defines how long you remain an outsider—and I know someday, that label won’t apply to me.”
Lastly, adding about her upcoming project, she says, “I’m currently doing a small part in Cocktail 2 and actively auditioning. Beyond acting, I love writing and performing poetry, so I’m always creating in some form. I’m just going to keep going—and hopefully, what’s next will soon be news in itself.”
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