‘Shreyas gave me the confidence to act’

BMCC alumnus Stavan Shinde, who kicked off his acting career with Talpade’s Marathi show, is keen on exploring Hindi TV and films

As a college student and young professional, Stavan Shinde had no interest in acting or anything related to creative arts. He spent his time assisting his dad in the family business and preparing for an MBA. “My friend Amruta Deshmukh showed my pictures to people at Shreyas Talpade’s office. They were looking out for a male lead for their upcoming show. Shreyas took my audition and selected me,” says Stavan.

Stavan Shinde on how Shreyas Talpade helped him gain confidence in acting (HTPHOTO)

Recollecting his initial days on his debut set, Stavan shares, “Shreyas sir would enact scenes for me so that I could get a better understanding of the sequence. He gave me the confidence to act and encouraged me to continue in the field. For an outsider and fresher it was a great boost.” Though the serial did not do well, Stavan went on to sign a Marathi film and a Hindi TV show. “I am an inquisitive person. I am constantly checking with my director on the camera angles, equipment and other technical aspects. This helped me understand the nuances of the craft better.”

Having spent two years in the industry, Stavan feels he still has a lot to explore and learn. He adds, “I am a newbie. So, I discuss what went wrong or what was right in my scenes with my co-actors and director. Fortunately, they have been patient and helpful throughout.

Currently, Stavan plays a Maharashtrian character in his Hindi show and the challenging part for him is the language. “It becomes difficult to emote in a language that you are not used to speaking daily. By default, you tend to be more comfortable in your mother tongue. But I am working on it and my co-actor Shivya has been very helpful.”