Shantanu Maheshwari Talks About His Bengali Film Debut, Success of Campus Beats, and the Reception of Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha. Shantanu Maheshwari discusses his Bengali film debut with Chaalchitro, the unexpected success of Campus Beats, and his thoughts on the mixed response to Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha.
Shantanu Maheshwari, a name synonymous with both television and cinema, has had an eventful year with multiple projects across various platforms. From his theatrical debut in Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha to the OTT hit Campus Beats, Shantanu’s diverse body of work has kept fans excited. He has also started shooting for his international project Love In Vietnam, and made a notable appearance at the Cannes Film Festival. However, the latest milestone in his career is his debut in Bengali cinema with the film Chaalchitro.[1]
Shantanu Maheshwari Bengali Cinema Debut with Chaalchitro
For Shantanu, making his debut in Bengali cinema holds a special place in his heart. Hailing from Kolkata, the actor has always been keen on contributing to his roots, and Chaalchitro offered him the perfect opportunity.
“I don’t feel pressure, but I do feel nervous because the Kolkata audience is very different from the Bollywood audience. They have a unique perspective on cinema, and I’m anxious about how they will judge my performance. But at the same time, I’m excited to be doing something for the people of the place I come from. It’s my first regional film, and the fact that it’s set in my hometown makes it even more meaningful,” Shantanu shares.[2]
The Unexpected Success of Campus Beats
Another project that has brought Shantanu widespread recognition is the youth-based dance show Campus Beats. While it might have seemed like just another dance show, the series has gained a massive following, far exceeding Shantanu’s expectations.
“When Campus Beats came out, I was confident about the concept, but the scale of the response took me by surprise. I knew the audience was different, and we needed a fresh approach to cater to the newer generation. In today’s content-saturated world, where viewers often leave shows halfway through, Campus Beats has managed to engage audiences who watch it multiple times. It’s a testament to the lasting impact of youth shows from the 2010s,” he explains.[3]
Dealing with the Underwhelming Reception of Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha
While Shantanu has had an impressive run this year, there was one low point – the underwhelming reception of his film Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha. Despite the film not performing as expected at the box office, Shantanu remains optimistic, especially regarding his performance in the film.
“I didn’t know what to expect from the film, and while the audience’s response wasn’t as strong as we hoped, I’m happy that my performance was appreciated. What mattered to me was that the director and team were happy with my work. We all put our heart into the project, and while its success wasn’t in our hands, it was still a valuable experience. It taught me that as long as things are going well, it’s all good,” Shantanu reflects.[4]
Looking Ahead: Shantanu’s Future Projects
Shantanu Maheshwari’s career trajectory shows no signs of slowing down. From Chaalchitro to his international venture Love In Vietnam, Shantanu is constantly challenging himself with new roles and opportunities. Fans are eagerly awaiting what’s next for the actor, as he continues to make strides in both Indian and international cinema.[5]
About Shantanu Maheshwari
Career Overview
| Year | Title | Role/Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2011-2015 | Dil Dosti Dance | Swayam Shekhawat, lead role in Channel V’s youth dance drama. |
| 2015 | Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya | Played a cancer patient. |
| 2015 | Desi Hoppers | Part of the dance crew that won World of Dance 2015 in Los Angeles. Represented India globally. |
| 2016 | Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 9 | Contestant, 2nd runner-up. |
| 2017 | Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 8 | Winner of the season, known as the “silent killer.” |
| 2018 | World of Dance | Contestant, first-ever Indian crew (Desi Hoppers) to compete internationally. |
| 2019 | Medically Yours | Played Abir Basu in Ekta Kapoor’s web series. |
| 2022 | Gangubai Kathiawadi | Afsaan Razaq, Bollywood debut under Sanjay Leela Bhansali. |
| 2024 | Love in Vietnam | Upcoming film based on the bestseller Madonna in a Fur Coat (India-Vietnam collaboration). |
| 2024 | Chaalchitro | Bengali film debut. |
Television Career
| Year | Title | Role/Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2011-2015 | Dil Dosti Dance | Swayam Shekhawat, lead role, cemented his place as a youth icon. |
| 2013 | Nach Baliye 5 | Contestant |
| 2016-2017 | Girls on Top | Sahir Bhasin, an aspiring musician. |
| 2017-2018 | MTV Love on the Run | Host |
| 2017 | Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 8 | Winner |
| 2019 | Yeh Teri Galiyan | Guest choreographer |
| 2020 | Nach Baliye 9 | Contestant (Finalist) |
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Something Like Love | Rishabh (Short film) |
| 2020 | Special Day | Ved Mehra |
| 2022 | Gangubai Kathiawadi | Afsaan Razaq (Bollywood debut) |
| 2024 | Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha | Young Krishna |
Music Videos
| Year | Title | Singer(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Super Girl from China | Kanika Kapoor, Mika Singh |
| 2018 | Aaja Mahi Ve | Aditi Singh Sharma |
| 2019 | Haaye Oye | Qaran, Ash King |
| 2022 | Tutt Gaya | Stebin Ben |
| 2023 | Mast Aankhein | Tulsi Kumar, Jubin Nautiyal |
Web Series
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | XXX | Bittu |
| 2019 | Medically Yours | Abir Basu |
| 2023 | Tooth Pari: When Love Bites | Dr. Bikram Roy |
| 2024 | Ishq In The Air | Naman |
Awards & Nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Indian Television Academy Awards | GR8 on Screen Couple (Viewers Choice) (with Vrushika Mehta) | Won |
| 2015 | World of Dance Championship | Desi Hoppers | Won |
| 2016 | Asian Viewers Television Awards | Male Actor of the Year (Girls on Top) | Nominated |
| 2017 | Indian Television Academy Awards | Favourite Popular Star (Male) (Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 8) | Nominated |
| 2023 | Filmfare Awards | Best Male Debut (Gangubai Kathiawadi) | Nominated |
| 2024 | Filmfare OTT Awards | Best Actor in a Series (Male) (Campus Beats) | Nominated |
Upcoming Projects
- Film: Love in Vietnam (2024) – India-Vietnam collaboration.
- Television: Upcoming web series and reality shows.
Conclusion
In 2024, Shantanu Maheshwari is proving himself to be an adaptable and dedicated actor, ready to take on new challenges across various platforms. His Bengali film debut with Chaalchitro is a significant milestone in his career, while his successful ventures in Campus Beats and international projects showcase his versatility. Despite facing challenges like the mixed response to Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha, Shantanu remains positive and focused on the journey ahead.[6]
With his growing portfolio of work, Shantanu Maheshwari is undoubtedly a star to watch in the coming years.
FAQs about Shantanu Maheshwari
1. Who is Shantanu Maheshwari?
Shantanu Maheshwari is an Indian actor, dancer, and choreographer, best known for his role as Swayam Shekhawat in the popular youth television show Dil Dosti Dance. He is also the winner of Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 8 and has appeared in films like Gangubai Kathiawadi and several music videos.
2. What is Shantanu Maheshwari’s debut role?
Shantanu Maheshwari made his acting debut in the television show Dil Dosti Dance, where he portrayed the character of Swayam Shekhawat, a dancer and aspiring performer. His role in the show earned him widespread recognition.
3. What is Shantanu Maheshwari’s role in Gangubai Kathiawadi?
In the 2022 film Gangubai Kathiawadi, Shantanu Maheshwari played Afsaan Razaq, a pivotal character opposite Alia Bhatt. This was his Bollywood debut, and he received praise for his performance.
4. Has Shantanu Maheshwari won any reality shows?
Yes, Shantanu Maheshwari won Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 8 in 2017. He was known for his consistent performance and was dubbed the “silent killer” of the season by host Rohit Shetty.
5. What is Shantanu Maheshwari’s dance background?
Shantanu Maheshwari is an accomplished dancer and choreographer. He gained international fame as a part of the Desi Hoppers dance crew, which won the World of Dance Championship in Los Angeles in 2015. Desi Hoppers was the first Indian dance crew to represent India on such a global stage.
6. What is Shantanu Maheshwari’s latest project?
Shantanu Maheshwari’s latest project is Love in Vietnam (2024), a cross-cultural collaboration between India and Vietnam. The film is based on the bestselling novel Madonna in a Fur Coat and stars Shantanu opposite Avneet Kaur and Vietnamese actress Kha Ngan.
7. What are some of Shantanu Maheshwari’s other popular TV shows?
Apart from Dil Dosti Dance, Shantanu has appeared in shows like Girls On Top, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 9 (where he was a 2nd runner-up), MTV Love on the Run, and Nach Baliye 9 (where he was a finalist). He has also hosted shows like India’s Best Dramebaaz and DID Li’l Masters.
8. Has Shantanu Maheshwari worked internationally?
Yes, Shantanu Maheshwari has represented India on international platforms. His dance crew Desi Hoppers won the World of Dance Championship, and they have performed on America’s Got Talent. He also performed at the University of Oxford and various global events.
9. What awards has Shantanu Maheshwari won?
Shantanu has received numerous awards, including the GR8 on Screen Couple award at the Indian Television Academy Awards in 2014, and he won Best Male Debut at the International Indian Film Academy Awards for his role in Gangubai Kathiawadi. He has also been nominated for multiple Filmfare and Indian Telly Awards.
10. What are some of Shantanu Maheshwari’s music videos?
Shantanu has featured in several popular music videos, including:
Haaye Oye (2019) with Qaran and Ash King.
Tutt Gaya (2022) with Stebin Ben.
Mast Aankhein (2023) with Tulsi Kumar and Jubin Nautiyal
11. What upcoming projects does Shantanu Maheshwari have?
Shantanu is set to star in several upcoming projects, including his film Love in Vietnam, and he continues to be a part of ongoing web series and television reality shows. His next major role is in Ishq In The Air (2024), a romantic drama web series.
12. What was Shantanu Maheshwari’s role in Medically Yours?
In Medically Yours (2019), Shantanu played the role of Abir Basu, a doctor in this web series that explored relationships in a hospital setting.
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