“I want to be known as an ordinary actor with extraordinary talent” – Chandan Roy Sanyal

By Devansh Patel -

January 11, 2011 - 12:19 PM IST

Call him trippy, a mad man, a geek, a psycho, a loner, call him all this and Chandan Roy Sanyal will show you the middle finger. For most of the people who know him and for the ones who don't, let me tell you that the 'stuart little' actor is one of India's most explosive talents we have in our industry. And so what if Vishal Bhardwaj's Kaminey showed you just a glimpse of it, there's more to come 2011 and 2012. Chandu, as I'd love to call him, is all set for his 2011 release F.A.L.T.U and is gearing up to start his new year with Deepa Mehta's Midnights Children to be shot in Sri Lanka. A fan of Deepa Mehta movies ever since his college days, Chandan is an actor who'd like to dip his fingers in everything coming his way, that includes his dream - Broadway Theatre. And when you meet the actor in his Andheri residence over a mug of beer, you'd wish he is still wearing the pirate teeth - gold and platinum and twinkling. In many ways, Chandan Roy Sanyal was always a pirate - of hearts and souls at least. He's here to steal it all in 2011.

"People think I am a 35 year old arrogant actor and mad guy with long hair"
I really like to shy away from all the glamorous lifestyle but I wouldn't shy away from a glamorous film or a role (laughs). I am a recluse inside my house. People think I am a 35 year old arrogant actor and mad guy with long hair who is tripped most of the time. But honestly, I am an actor with a middle-class background and I am here to do good work. After Kaminey, there were lots of offers coming my way to play one of the mad men (laughs).

“I want to be known as an ordinary actor with extraordinary talent” – Chandan Roy Sanyal

"In F.A.L.T.U, I play a geek. A 25 year old college drop out"
In F.A.L.T.U, I play a geek. A 25 year old college drop out. People who know me will recognise me in the film and people who don't know me won't. The feedback on the first look of F.A.L.T.U has been tremendous. My Facebook friends love the posters of the film and that's a good sign. I am really looking forward to this film. The film will be worth a watch and it won't go unnoticed.

"It's an honour to work with Deepa Mehta in Midnights Children"

I've never met Deepa Mehta. But there's an interesting story behind how I loved one of Deepa Mehta's film. There was a theatre right next to my college called 'Sheila Theatre' where they used to show foreign films and Hindi films in the mornings. I saw Shekar Kapur's Bandit Queen there and Deepa Mehta's 1947 Earth. I think the film is one of Deepa's best works. I love that film. It's a great honour to be working with her. Ten years ago, I never thought I'd be working with the same lady in Midnights Children.

"Ten years down, I want to be remembered as an ordinary actor with extraordinary talent"
I want to be remembered as a versatile actor. An actor who leaves an impression. Just like Kamal Hassan, Sanjeev Kumar, Mammooty. They are ordinary looking people with extraordinary talent. I am not comparing myself to them but i'd want to be like them ten years down the line.

"My dream is to do a Broadway play"
I want to do Broadway one day. I am planning to go to New York soon and meet some people associated with the musicals. I want to get into it hardcore. My dream is to do a Broadway play.