Among the first to get a chiselled eight pack in Sandalwood, this actor made his debut in films with PUC while studying his PUC! While Chetan Chandra took a break to get married, he is now back in a grand avatar, both on the small and big screen. He makes his TV debut in one of the most expensive Kannada serials being made, Star Suvarna’s Satyam Shivam Sundaram, which is the remake of the hit Hindi soap Ishqbazz. All set to shine on TV, he is also busy with five films that include a Telugu and Tamil venture. He talks about his TV debut, ongoing film projects and more.
“I took up TV serials even though I am busy with a handful of projects both in Kannada and others languages. Satyam Shivam Sundaram itself is being produced on such a large scale, it is no less than a high budget film. I chose to play the role of Shiva, who is one of the three wealthy brothers in the serial, as I was assured of the quality of the team. The equipment being used is top class. High-end cameras like Red Dragon, which are normally used for shooting songs and stunt sequences is being used for this serial daily — not just one but three cameras. My introduction scene has been shot using a chopper. State-of-the-art expensive and exclusive sets have been erected and it has very good content, which is why I chose to do the serial,” says Chetan.
The actor is also awaiting the release of Samyukta 2 and Vyaghra which is also being made in Tamil as Nindru Kolvan. His other films Malgudi Station and Prabhutva, which he recently signed, are in progress apart from a couple of projects in Telugu as well.
Chetan says that he has been assured that the serial’s team will take care of his schedule incase there are film shoots, which makes things more do-able. “The serial makers have been a great support system, and have assured that they will alter my shoots if I have to take short breaks for my films. In fact, I do not feel there is any difference working in serials when compared to films. However, the bonding is much more in serials, as the entire team works together for a longer duration on sets,” adds Chetan.
The actor who recently got married, says that he took a break from films for almost two years after he found the love of his life — Rachana Hegde. The couple entered into wedlock in April. “It was a special phase in my life, and hence I took some time off. Now, I am back with a couple of good projects. I had even stopped exercising as it was difficult to hit the gym regularly, and since I stay away from any kind of diet, there were a lot of things I had to get back to. I cannot even remember a single day when I had missed exercising earlier,” he smiles at how love changed it all.
My family, especially my mother who watches a lot of soaps is excited about the serial. “TV’s reach is so vast I play Shiva who is a successful businessman with little emotions and attachments in life,” he signs off. In Samyukta 2, a horror film, he plays the lead and Vygrha, which is also ready for release, is a beautiful love story.
