Chandan Roy Sanyal is a versatile actor known for his powerful performances in films and OTT. He was appreciated for his role as Mikhail in Kaminey(2009) and Rang De Basanti (2006). He continued to gain fame for his performances in the Prague (2013) and Bengali film Aparajita Tumi (2012). Recently he impressed audiences with his portrayal of Bhopa Swami in the hit series Aashram directed by Prakash Jha. On Women’s Day he spoke about the qualities of women and why they are called the better half. Here are the excerpts from an exclusive chat with Chandan Roy Sanyal. Read on..
Who is the most inspiring woman in your life, and what makes her special?
My mother would be the most inspiring woman. I remember my mother working hard to make ends meet with my father to give us a good education, put food on the table. My mother used to look after the house and also go to work to earn extra money to give us a better life. So, yeah, how she took care of the family and all of us, it’s amazing.
How has a woman influenced your career or personal growth?
When I look at how the women influenced my career and growth, I feel it has been in many ways, you know, the women who have come in my life have always taught me something. Compassion, love, trust, sincerity. Because I feel women are more sincere, more trustworthy, more planned, organized and compassionate. All the good adjectives I would say are in a woman, like they are the real leader in the sense than a man. So, most of the women I have been with in terms of relationships who have come in my life have always taught me that.
What’s the greatest life lesson you’ve learnt from a woman?
I think most of the women I have come across in all kinds of roles, be it mother, or an aunt, or a girlfriend, or a friend, I think they are more loving, and I think it’s the selfless nature of women I find very amazing. They can do things for you without sort of wanting anything in return. That is something the selfless nature of a lady. They’re more giving than a man.
Can you recall a moment when a woman’s resilience or kindness changed your perspective?
I remember my mother’s resilience like how she fought to help my father run the family and sort of bring both of us brothers up. And the kindness she had towards her family. There were times when there was not enough, but still, she would do things for her other family members, like her brothers or sister or her mother or for my father’s family. She would go out of the way to do things, that is something. I think that quality I would always appreciate, which I remember.
What’s one piece of advice from a woman that has stuck with you?
One piece of advice which has stuck with me, which has also sort of put me on the spiritual path, is when I got introduced to the spiritual side of life and everything is happening at its own pace and there is a God and there is a divine hope who’s looking after you and you have to just trust the divine and sort of surrender. That’s one thing which has changed my life, and I learned that from a woman.
What message would you like to share with your female fans on women’s day?
I don’t have any advice for any female fans. I think it becomes like mansplaining in today’s time. They are the one who should advise a man how to get better in society to make it a better society. Men need advice rather than women because they are sort of complete in their own way.
What changes would you like to see in society to support and uplift women more?
I would like to see a lot of changes for women in society in terms of security, I would want to make it a better place for them, in terms of security and protection, make it a safer for them. I would want them to roam freely without any fear and teach children at a very young age how to treat women and how to be respectful and kind. I think if that sort of changes at the grassroots level, a lot of things in the society will change like.
See Also: Exclusive: “I feel there is nothing like method acting, as there is no method to this madness,” says Chandan Roy Sanyal