From intense, layered roles to the cunning Shakuni: Chandan Anand reflects on his evolving craft in Sony SAB’s Hastinapur Ke Veer
City Air News
Oct 16, 2026 08:10
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Sony SAB’s Hastinapur Ke Veer brings alive the formative years of the Pandavas and Kauravas, exploring the relationships and experiences that shape their personalities. Among the characters adding intrigue to this journey is Shakuni (Chandan Anand) whose intelligence, sharp observations and ability to influence those around him make him one of the most layered figures in the story. Having portrayed complex characters across projects Chandan has continually explored different shades of human behaviour through his work. Each role has contributed to his growth as an actor and playing Shakuni has offered him another opportunity to explore the finer details of characterisation.
As he spends more time inhabiting Shakuni, Chandan continues to discover new dimensions to the character. Beyond his reputation as a clever strategist Shakuni is someone who understands people, observes their vulnerabilities and knows how to use conversations to influence their thinking. From his changing tone while interacting with different characters to his distinct physical mannerisms every detail adds another layer to his portrayal. For Chandan, the process has reinforced how an actor's understanding of a character can deepen with time, allowing even familiar traits to reveal something new.
Talking about his experience Chandan Anand shared, “Over the years, I have realised that every character teaches you something different about the craft of acting. With roles that are intense or complex, you learn to look beyond what is immediately visible and understand what drives a person’s choices. I have learnt that sometimes the smallest details can tell the audience more about a character than a big dramatic moment. I keep exploring these nuances because I want Shakuni to feel like a person with his own way of thinking, rather than just someone known for his clever plans. That continuous process of discovery is what keeps me excited as an actor.”
