Selecting a career can be very difficult, more so, if you plan to take up an unconventional career like acting. NNE has always endeavored to provide best possible counseling services to the students through its dedicated career counseling section. At this juncture we thought of providing you the views and guidance of someone who took an unconventional path.

Abhinav Kant Chaturvedi is an actor. He has acted in serials like ‘Hum Log’ and ‘Buniyaad’, he has done a Hindi movies like ‘Saudagar’ and Suryavanshi’ and quite a few stage plays. He is also the voice behind ‘Lallan Bhaiyya’ on 98.3 Radio Mirchi and runs his own film production company, now.

Here, he is in conversation with NNE on Acting a career, importance of acting schools, importance of conventional education in an actor’s life, and much more.

» To begin with, please tell us something about yourself and your educational background.

I had my schooling from the Modern School Barkhamba Road, and this is where I learnt my acting through various house functions and cultural activities.

I was the “cultural prefect’’ in school, and won the Rudra Prize for all round best student. Before taking up acting as a career, I captained the Delhi Under 19 Cricket team and was also called for the “Indian School Boys” cricket team to go to the West Indies.

After that, I completed my graduation in History and then my Masters degree from the pristine St.Stephen’s College, Delhi University. I attended 3 Ranji Trophy camps under the able coaching of former Indian captain, Mr. Bishan Singh Bedi. My contemporaries were Maninder Singh, Navjyot Singh Sidhu, L Sivaramakrishnan, Sanjay Manjrekar and Manoj Prabhakar, to name a few.

» Did you always aspire to be an actor? Also, how did you land up with the role of “Nanhe” (Hum Log)?

On the contrary, I wanted to become a Test Cricketer, My father a renowned cricket commentator of Doordarshan, Late Shri Abhay Chaturvedi, injected the sports culture in me, and I learnt a lot from him. I grew up watching him play hockey & cricket while he taught at Modern School. As an actor, a lot of people worked on my various skills, including my school teacher, Late Sri Uma Sahay jee, Late Sri Dina Nath jee, Late Sri Om Shivpuri jee, Shri Ram Gopal Bajaj, Late Sri B M Shah jee, Mr. B V Karanth – they all were my Gurus at various stages of my life. Hum log was an accident.

I was rejected by Doordarshan a year before HUM LOG had happened. It was all thanks to Mr. Manohar Shyam Joshi’s son, Anupam, who suggested my name to his father. I was called for an audition and I passed. Rest is History.

» Who or what has been your source of inspiration?

It is difficult to say who actually inspired me , but one person who instantly comes to my mind is Mr. Om Shivpuri. He gave me a break when I was 5 years old. My first professional stage play was Graupadi. I was his blue eyed boy.

An aspiring actor must know the script well, respect your entire cast and to submit yourself to your director who finally calls the shots. It is finally teamwork– a group activity, where you have to play for your team - just like in cricket.

Dedication, devotion, voice modulation, understanding of the plot, the sub plot, and above all DISCIPLINE is very necessary for an actor. Without Discipline you cannot be a great actor. Mr. Amitabh Bachchan is probably the best example – He stands truly tall and first in my list of a role models.


TO READ THE FULL INTERVIEW, CLICK HERE