Shantanu Maheshwari, a familiar face in the entertainment world, has had a remarkable year. From his theatrical film release in Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha to his OTT show Campus Beats, and even his international project Love In Vietnam, 2024 has been a busy year for him. Among these exciting milestones, the actor’s Bengali film debut with Chaalchitro holds a special place in his heart, considering it’s his first project in the language of his hometown, Kolkata.
A Special Moment for the Actor
For Shantanu Maheshwari, Chaalchitro is more than just a film; it’s a personal journey. Born and raised in Kolkata, the actor shared how important this debut is to him: “It’s my first regional cinema, and it’s in my hometown, so it’s something I’m really proud of.” Although Shantanu doesn’t feel an overwhelming sense of pressure, he admits to feeling nervous about how his performance will be received. “Kolkata’s audience is different. They have their own unique way of looking at cinema,” he explains, adding that the challenge of performing for this specific audience excites him.
He’s glad to finally be able to contribute to Bengali cinema after trying for a long time. “I had been wanting to do this for years, but couldn’t find the right opportunity. But now, everything has fallen into place,” he says.
Unexpected Success of Campus Beats
One of the year’s highlights for Shantanu has been his show Campus Beats, which has garnered a lot of love from its audience. After almost a month since its release, the show has built a large, loyal fan base, much to Shantanu’s surprise. “I knew it would resonate with the youth, but the scale of the response has been overwhelming,” he admits.
Shantanu believes the success comes from the show being tailored to a new generation of viewers. “It was important for us to create something for a fresh audience. The people who used to watch dance shows like Dil Dosti Dance are now working, so we needed to make something that appeals to the newer generation,” he explains. The unexpected success is also a reminder of how rare it is for content to truly stand out in today’s crowded entertainment space, where viewers are constantly switching between shows. Shantanu is thrilled to see Campus Beats being rewatched by fans, something that brings back memories of the popular youth shows of the 2010s.
Dealing with the Low: Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha
While the year has been filled with wins, it wasn’t without its challenges. The response to his film Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha was underwhelming, which Shantanu takes in stride. He reflects, “I didn’t know what to expect from the film. On the performance side, I was happy to see that people appreciated my work.” Despite the film not doing as well as anticipated, Shantanu isn’t too disappointed. He highlights that his director was happy with his performance, which is what truly mattered to him.
The experience taught him an important lesson. “When things are going well, everything feels great. But you never know when things can take a different turn,” he says, emphasizing that success and failure are both part of the journey.
Shantanu Maheshwari’s Upcoming Project
As Shantanu continues to work on exciting projects, he remains grateful for the opportunities he’s had to explore different aspects of his career. From regional films to international projects, the actor is truly embracing everything that comes his way in his evolving career.
