Veteran actor Manish Chaudhari reflects on his evolving journey as an artist, from breaking typecasts to embracing Telugu cinema.
With Kingdom, he pushes new boundaries while staying rooted in storytelling that connects with audiences.
With three decades in the industry, Manish Chaudhari has carved out a space for himself by taking on diverse roles and maintaining a steady presence in both films and web series.
His recent work in the Netflix film Aap Jaisa Koi has been widely appreciated, and his upcoming multilingual movie Kingdom with Vijay Deverakonda is generating immense buzz.
Over the years, Manish Chaudhari has delivered commendable performances in films like Sanam Teri Kasam, Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year, and in acclaimed series such as Bombay Begums, Kohrra, and Aarya.
In a candid conversation, he reflects on his experience with Kingdom, breaking typecasting, and the dynamics of working in Bollywood versus South Indian cinema. Speaking about stepping into the world of Telugu cinema, he shares,
“Kingdom is a Telugu film, which itself is a great challenge for me. Acting in a language I don’t speak and then dubbing for myself in Telugu was a completely new experience. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and gave me a whole new perspective as an actor.”
Reflecting on the challenge of not being boxed into similar roles, Manish Chaudhari says, “There has to be an active push from the actor against being typecast. At the same time, audiences often enjoy seeing you in roles they are already familiar with. So, it’s about finding that balance doing the kind of work that excites you, while also giving the audience what they love.”
Having worked across industries, Manish Chaudhari notes,
“Honestly, the approach to storytelling is not very different. Both Bollywood and South cinema are driven by the same passion for creating stories that connect emotionally. The difference is more in the cultural textures and flavour of the narratives than in the process itself.”
Manish Chaudhari further elaborates on the on-set experience, saying,
“On set, the approach feels quite similar, directors, actors, and technicians all bring the same dedication to their work. The way characters are built or stories are shot doesn’t really change. What sets them apart is primarily the language and the culturally specific elements within the storytelling.”
