3 min readAug 29, 2011 12:27 AM IST
First published on: Aug 29, 2011 at 12:27 AM IST
For Manish Wadhwa,playing Chanakya is the turning point of his career
When actor-director Chandraprakash Dwivedi played Chanakya in the iconic historical series of the same name on Doordarshan in the year 1991,he left an indelible impression on the audience’s mind. The show still remains in our memory for its attention to detail and authenticity. Not just that,Dwiwedi set the bar extremely high for any other actor to take up the role. So,when actor Manish Wadhwa got the opportunity to play the character,he knew that it will be a challenge. “More often than not,the remakes of mythologies on television have not done as well as the original series. So,when Sagar Arts approached me to play Chanakya,I was apprehensive. I didn’t want people to compare or be disappointed. Also,Dr Dwivedi’s rendition of this genius of man called Chanakya is hard to live up to,” says Wadhwa,who plays the role of Chanakya in the series Chandragupta Maurya,a period drama on Imagine.
The show has been on air for sometime now,and Wadhwa is receiving quite some accolades. In spite of doing meaty roles in prime time serials like Mitwa,Shaurya aur Suhani and Kohinoor,it was playing Chanakya that has been the turning point in his career. Not only did Wadhwa go bald for the part,he got under the skin of the character,the man who was brilliant at political theory,an ace strategist and economist,who never let any emotion cross his face.
“The act had to be convincing,restrained and calm as any gimmick could be a giveaway. That is also one of the reasons why I went bald. I didn’t want the headache of a wig or extra make-up,” says Wadhwa. It is here that his years of theatre came in handy. He explains,“Playing Chanakya has added a new dimension,a new character to my own personality,and I am happy that I am known as Chanakya,and that I could do justice to the role,” says the actor.
Acting,says Wadhwa,is the only thing he can do. Take it away from him and he says there is nothing else he knows. “I am passionate about acting,and the medium really doesn’t matter. Good work will get recognition anywhere,” says Wadhwa,who is also being seen in Ram Gopal Varma’s latest production,Shabri. The film,which has been directed by Lalit Marathe,released this week and Wadhwa is already getting good reviews for his performance. “I did this film much before Chandragupta Maurya. It is a completely different role,” says Wadhwa,who is totally focused on playing Chanakya for now.
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