Actor-dancer Faisal Khan is all set to enter the adult acting space, playing the grown-up version of India’s first pan-nation ruler in the Sony historical show, Chandragupta Maurya. Faisal had begun his career by winning Dance India Dance (kids), back in 2013. He then went on to play the young Rajput warrior in Bharat Ka Veer Putra – Maharana Pratap. He also won Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa in 2015. He was a part of Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi in 2016.
When asked his feelings on entering the grown-up space, he says, “I am excited as well as nervous! It’s a big responsibility, as I am playing the adult version of Chandragupta, and this is a leap to the original characters in the show. So I need to change the perspectives of the audiences here, to get them to accept and love the new Chandragupta.”
He continues, “There are definitely a lot of expectations, so I am just going to give it my all, my total 100%, which is a bit nerve-wracking, but I am confident that I can do it.”
When asked what the biggest challenge would be, he replies, “It definitely is going to be a challenge playing an older character, but I myself have grown now, age-wise as well, with lots more maturity and understanding. I mean, my own mother was quite shocked to see my first look in the beard that Chandragupta has now, but she was also pleased to see me looking so different. And I myself am more confident now and liking the way, I am being presented in this new avataar at the moment. Though overall, what is important for me is maintaining the continuity and consistency of the character.”
About prepping for the show, and the homework he did before shooting began, he says, “I have already got all the prep and experience for this kind of sequences since my Maharana Pratap days, which I am quite happy about. So physically, I am prepared for these sequences, though mentally I am yet preparing myself as these are elaborate scenes and need to be shot for long hours in the daylight, which can be quite tiring. So I really have to ensure getting used to these requirements.”
In closing, this 20-year old does feel that he missed out on teenage fun, having entered the acting field so early in life. “Yes, I have spent most of my teenage years on set, and it did teach me a lot — patience, hard work, determination, and most importantly teamwork and true team spirit which came from the bonding and rapport that my team and I managed to create during the initial days on set.”
“That is the one factor that taught me that only with a great bonding team can one create a great product to showcase on screen,” he ends.