What is the best thing that I love about my work?
The best thing I love about my work is that it doesn’t feel like work. The freedom of expressing myself gives me a creative satisfaction. While performing all the voices stop and it feels like a different zone altogether. The feeling is hard to express as it engulfs you. The rational mind stops I focus on the feeling. Theatre is not for the rational mind according to me but it is for the depth of the human nature.
What is my idea of happiness?
My idea of happiness is having a good rehearsal or a good show where I have expressed myself freely not overdoing it or underdoing it but just matching the rhythm of the play. It could also spending time with a loved one and having good intimate moments talking and laughing freely. It is in the subtle moments for me not loud moments. It is more of quiet joy of me rather than exciting happiness(this is overwhelming for me).
What is my greatest fear?
My greatest fear is that day I stop working towards my craft where I have figured it all out.
What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?
You know while thinking about this question, I couldn’t think of any because as I have gone through years and I see each one of us has contradictions and its just how aware I can be with those traits of mine and rather fighting them or framing them in good or bad I would just accept. No right or wrong answers just experiences shape perceptions.
Which living persons in my profession do i most admire?
I admire a few people in my current theatre group, like my director and few of my co actors as they have become my safe space. I can just enjoy with them and have fun and not think twice. Freedom to express and share joyful moments.
Can I include myself in this? Hahaha I admire myself also as I have fun with myself, people might think I am crazy but I enjoy with myself as well.
What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?
The thing that I dislike in my work is not per say my work, lets put it this way in the field of my work that is Acting or Theatre. This field of work is very enticing and demanding as well but you see there is a trap that one starts to think of him/her more than the craft, it leads to autocracy. The free-flowing nature and the beauty of it goes off stage and it becomes exhibition kind of. Whether a director or an actor the awareness of the surrounding should always be there and not blinded by the glimmer and glitter of the show business.
When and where was I the happiest, in my work?
I have always been the happiest in my work be it during tea breaks, laughter during rehearsals, being called for the next reading of the play. As they say “Show must go on”.
If I could, what would I change about myself?
You know I wanted to say that I want to change my surroundings or my past, but isnt that thing that I want to change instead changed me from the person I was. I would not change anything because I won’t be the same person writing this. I mean biologically me? Yes but my entire being would be completely different even if one instance is changed about myself.
What is my greatest achievement in work?
I am still getting there. Ha! Well its not of an achievement but I feel that I am closer to myself being associated with the arts.
Where would I most like to live?
Aah! What a lovely question I would like to live with beautiful girl who I call as the love of my life in house with our little family.
Another option could be wherever I stay I stay happy and free in my being and existence.
What is my most treasured possession?
My books are my most treasured possession. I am fond of them, I truly possess them, you know I don’t read them sometimes, but I am happy they are by my side.
What is my most marked characteristic?
My reserved nature with a crazy side to it.
What is my most inspirational location, in my city?
My Park or my rehearsal space.
What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city?
I would say home! but outside home maybe a good quiet space near nature.
What books influenced my life and how?
The Gospel of Sri RamaKrishna. It changed my life as a person who was dealing with the questions of life and death, miseries of life, after life, it gave peaceful clarity. It took me somewhere.
You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day?
I would listen to everything that I like and just listen and have fun.
Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?
Mirza Ghalib and Sri Ramakrishna are two people who could be called my heroes as they are fiction characters but what they have written has inspired and moved me.
Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?
I don’t want to sound pompous or arrogant, but I say it with utmost humility that I love this person who has been with me that is myself and although I have been hard on me at times but this friend of mine that is me always walks with me. One day when my soul decides to leave this body, I will thank this dear friend of mine, My Hero Myself!! (Ps:- Humbly not arrogance)
Which movie would i recommend to see once in a lifetime?
Charlie Chaplin films are a delight but few would be ‘Last Night’, ‘Ulzhan’, ‘The Blind Side’, ‘Some Like it Hot’, ‘Rififi’ and many more. Want to know more Hit me Up!! Haha!!
What role do stories play in my life and work?
I am living a story as well, story of my life. Each story has some effect and impact on my life consciously or unconsciously, that is why actors are called storytellers. A story has the power to move each individual pressing our trigger points and aggravating or bringing flashback and how what we call a great story is the one that relates to each individual, that is an actor can not be bigger than the story.
What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ to me?
I get to decide how I will share the story of my life, how I express myself in life and to my fellow human beings who are my co actors as well as the audience. So I am the director and the actor of my life and I will give it a direction and decide to act upon it and maybe it shall be narrated someday.
Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?
It has to be me, because when the world stops being your fan, sponsor or partner in crime. You do it yourself and find the real joy and motivation to JUST DO IT!
Which people or companies would I like to work with?
I would like to work with Rafaela Covas, Gianna Morgan, Alekhya Ramesh, Sophia Hernandez, Choukri Wyatt, Joshua Radensky, somebody who is creating a lovely story.
What project am I looking forward to work on?
All the new plays that I will work on and maybe sometime on camera. Looking forward to each one of it.
Where can you see me or my work?
I stay in New Delhi, India. I perform on stage in theatre, if you want to see me, I am away a video call or if you want to see my work, come watch my plays or direct a film and I will act in itxD
What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?
I keep on working till the last breathe of my existence that for me is “Passion Never Retires”
Which creative heroes should Peter invite to tell their story?
You may invite those people who I have desired to act with.
How can you contact me?
My Linkedin Id is:-https://www.linkedin.com/in/shikhar-chaudhary-50b29a421?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_android
Phone Number:- +919811481843(whatsapp)
Email Id:- shikharmcd@gmail.com