Be patient, be perseverant

Shantanu Maheshwari and Sanjay Leela Bhansali

For actors, few things come close to the privilege of being in a position of choice. With the roaring success of his big-screen feature debut, Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022), Shantanu Maheshwari has got exactly that. "Choosing projects out of desperation is a sad feeling. With Gangubai, people seem ready to bet on me. I have received a lot of attention," says the actor, who is currently seen in Amazon MiniTV young adult romance, Campus Beats.

He hopes to keep the momentum going with his forthcoming projects. Next, he will be seen alongside Ajay Devgn and Tabu in Neeraj Pandey's Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha, and a regional film. From television to the big screen to digital entertainment, having explored all the mediums, the actor is now aiming higher. "I want to do Hollywood films, and balance them with Indian movies. I try to connect with people in this direction," he says.

As he continues to hustle, Maheshwari is grateful for director Sanjay Leela Bhansali's guidance. "I am in touch with sir. He keeps asking me whether I am happy with my projects. He always says this: ‘It's important for you to be happy and patient. Don't try to hurry things. Just keep working hard.' That he believes in me is a very big deal."