Shantanu Maheshwari on going bald for a brief scene in 'Auron...': "I was initially skeptical but it went...."

In the film Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha, Shantanu Maheshwari plays the younger version of Krishna, a character later portrayed by Ajay Devgn. Shantanu, a versatile actor and dancer, has left a significant mark with his portrayal of Krishna. In this candid interview with India Forums, he discusses the challenges and dedication required for the role, including going bald for a brief yet impactful scene, his chemistry with co-star Saiee Manjrekar, and his overall preparation for the film.

Q: Shantanu, first of all, congratulations on your performance in Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha. How has the response been?

Shantanu Maheshwari: Thank you so much. It’s been amazing. I’ve seen the film myself. It’s really good. Everyone is raving about it, and I’m so glad people are appreciating my work. It’s always heartening to see your efforts being recognized.

Q: Let’s dive right in. There’s a particular jail sequence at the end of the film where Vasu comes to meet Krishna, and you appear with a shaved head. Did you really go bald for that scene, or was it a wig?

Shantanu Maheshwari: Yes, that was real. I actually shaved my head for that scene. We were discussing whether I should go for a wig or prosthetics, but our director was very clear from the beginning. He didn’t want any prosthetics. He insisted on keeping it as authentic as possible. He believed that whoever played the role had to go bald for real. I was initially a bit skeptical, but it turned out to be a very impactful decision, and I’m glad we did it that way.

Q: That’s quite a commitment for what might seem like a small scene. What was the thought process behind that?

Shantanu Maheshwari: It does seem like a small bit, but it’s very impactful within the context of the story. It was necessary for the character's journey. Initially, we did try to explore other options, like using prosthetics, but our director was firm in his vision. He wanted to keep it real, and that’s what we did. It added a layer of authenticity to the character, and I’m glad I trusted his vision.

Q: Moving on to another scene, there’s a moment where Krishna and Vasu are at Marine Drive, and the scene shows time passing by with people coming and going, while you both remain seated. Could you tell us more about that particular shot and how it was executed?

Shantanu Maheshwari: That was a very technically challenging shot. It was shot using a specialized camera setup, which took quite some time to get right. The camera, the movements of the extras, everything had to be synchronized perfectly. We had to perform in a way that conveyed the passage of time and the emotional journey the characters were going through, all within that single shot. It was difficult, but I’m really happy with how it turned out. The director’s vision for that scene was very clear, and it came across beautifully on screen.

Q: The chemistry between you and Saiee Manjrekar is crucial to the story, as the film heavily relies on the love story between your characters. How did you both work on building that chemistry?

Shantanu Maheshwari: Saiee and I were very comfortable with each other from the start. We had a two-month rigorous workshop before we started shooting, which really helped us get into our characters and develop that on-screen chemistry. It wasn’t just about breaking the ice but also about understanding each other’s working styles and getting the intensity of the scenes right. That workshop played a significant role in helping us deliver the performances that were needed.

Q: Recently, Gulshan Devaiah mentioned in an interview that it’s not always necessary for actors to become close off-screen to portray a convincing relationship on-screen. How was it between you and Saiee?

Shantanu Maheshwari: I haven’t seen that particular interview, so I can’t comment directly on what he said. But in our case, Saiee and I were very comfortable with each other. The workshops we did together helped us a lot in building that rapport. We worked hard on our scenes to ensure that the chemistry was believable. While we may not have become best friends off-screen, there was definitely a level of comfort that translated well on-screen.

Q: The film is inspired by real-life events, and there are images of real people shown at the beginning. Were you aware of this, and did you do any research on the people it was based on?

Shantanu Maheshwari: No, I wasn’t really aware of it during the filming. It was only during the promotion of the film, in one of the interviews, that the producer mentioned the story being inspired by real people. That was quite surprising to me. I haven’t had the chance to delve deeper into that aspect or talk to the producer about it, but it’s definitely something I’m curious about. It would be interesting to learn more about the real-life events that inspired the story.

Q: During the film’s reading sessions, did you have the opportunity to work closely with the entire cast, especially the senior actors?

Shantanu Maheshwari: Not really. During the reading sessions, we mostly focused on our parts separately. The younger versions of the characters, which included me, had our own sessions. Our director was very clear about what he wanted from us. He ensured that we played our roles with a certain intensity that would carry over to the senior versions of the characters. The seniors had their own layers to add, and the director made sure everything was aligned to create a seamless transition between the younger and older versions of the characters.

Q: Krishna, your character, had so many layers, from quirky moments to emotional depth. How did you approach playing such a multifaceted role?

Shantanu Maheshwari: Playing Krishna was a great experience for me. It’s a beautifully written love story, and the character had so many dimensions to explore. Whether it was the quirky side or the emotional intensity, I had a lot to work with, which made it challenging but also very fulfilling. I think people who have experienced love will relate to Krishna’s journey a lot. It was a role that allowed me to tap into a wide range of emotions, and I’m really grateful for that opportunity.

Q: There are a few signature gestures in the film, like Krishna putting his hand on his throat when he’s tense or the way he removes his spectacles. Were these small details something you worked on together with Ajay Devgn to maintain consistency between the younger and older versions of the character?

Shantanu Maheshwari: Yes, those were small but significant details that we worked on. The director was very clear about maintaining certain gestures and nuances that would connect the younger and older versions of Krishna. These gestures help in making the character consistent throughout the film. We discussed these aspects during our preparation, and I tried to incorporate them naturally into my performance. It was important for us to ensure that the transition between the younger and older Krishna felt seamless and believable.

Q: Lastly, during the entire process of filming, what was the most challenging part for you as an actor?

Shantanu Maheshwari: The most challenging part was definitely getting into the skin of the character and ensuring that I delivered a performance that did justice to the script. The emotional scenes required a lot of intensity, and there were moments where I really had to dig deep to bring out the required emotions. Also, the physical transformation, like going bald for that brief scene, was a big step for me. But overall, the entire journey was very rewarding, and I’m glad I could be a part of such a beautiful story.

'Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha', also starring Tabu, Ajay Devgn and Jimmy Shergill in pivotal roles, hit the theatres on 2nd August. It revolves around the lives of Krishna and Vasu and their tragic yet profound love story that will fill your heart with emotions.