Chitrangada Singh Shares Valuable Acting Insight from Shabana Azmi
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Synopsis
Chitrangada Singh reveals a significant acting tip from Shabana Azmi that has shaped her approach to acting. Reflecting on her journey from modeling to cinema, she emphasizes the importance of authenticity over formal training in her craft.
Key Takeaways
- Chitrangada’s journey began unexpectedly through modeling.
- Shabana Azmi's advice emphasizes the value of instinct over learned techniques.
- Authenticity can be more beneficial than formal education in acting.
- Collaboration and support from directors and peers are crucial in an actor's growth.
- Every actor has a unique path and method.
Mumbai, April 3 (NationPress) Actress Chitrangada Singh, who has received significant acclaim for her role in the recently launched streaming series ‘Khakee: The Bengal Chapter’, has disclosed a pivotal acting tip that she cherishes dearly.
This insightful advice was imparted to her by the esteemed actress Shabana Azmi during one of their conversations. In a recent interview with IANS, Chitrangada reflected on her early experiences while filming ‘Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi’, the project that marked her entry into the film industry.
Recalling her path to her debut role, she shared with IANS, “I have never pursued formal acting education. I have not participated in theater or anything similar. It was, in fact, a remarkable twist of fate that led to my discovery. While modeling in Delhi, director Sudhir Mishra was searching for someone to portray Geeta Rao (the character she played in ‘Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi’), and he had not yet found the right fit. Swanand Kirkire, who was then assisting Sudhir, was conducting auditions. I owe him a great deal for collaborating with me and helping me deliver a successful audition. That’s how my journey began.”
She further recounted feeling quite overwhelmed on set, especially as co-stars like Kay Kay Menon would discuss emotional arcs and character development. Coming from a non-acting background, she felt out of place in an environment buzzing with cinematic language and technical knowledge.
She continued, “One day, I expressed to Sudhir, ‘I don't know what to do’. He replied, ‘That’s the best thing because all you need to do in the scene is react. I don't want you to act’. It was such an enlightening moment. I held onto that statement, thinking, ‘Okay, there is nothing wrong with me. I am not missing anything’.”
“Later, I had the opportunity to work with Shabana Ji in another film. We discussed my lack of formal acting education, and Baman Irani was also part of the conversation. Shabana Ji remarked, ‘The issue with studying acting is that you first learn and then must unlearn. You are actually in an advantageous position because you haven’t learned, so you won’t have to undergo the unlearning process. It’s a longer journey. I believe every actor develops their unique methodology’,” she concluded.
‘Khakee: The Bengal Chapter’ is available for streaming on Netflix.
