Shashank Arora on His Versatile Roles, Challenges, and Superboys of Malegaon

MUMBAI: Shashank Arora continues to push boundaries in Indian cinema, bringing fresh and nuanced performances to the screen. From his breakthrough role in the neo-noir crime thriller Titli (2014) to the musical drama Rock On 2, and now Superboys of Malegaon, the actor has built a diverse and compelling filmography.

Reflecting on Titli, Shashank described the role as physically and emotionally demanding. “The real challenge was crafting the body language and motives of the character. Workshops played a crucial role—Atul Mongia is a genius, and I owe a lot to my acting professor, Rob Reece, who taught me the craft,” he shared.

In Rock On 2, Shashank played a classically trained musician, a role that required him to learn the sarod and bass guitar. “Characters close to you can be tricky because it’s easy to become complacent. But this one— a Banarasi sarod player striving to break into the industry—was quite distant from me,” he explained.

Currently, Shashank is earning praise for Superboys of Malegaon, in which he portrays a small-town dreamer driven by friendship and ambition. Speaking about the film, he said, “Malegaon is full of people who prioritise stories and emotions over money. That’s what drew me to it. Mumbai, in many ways, is just as surreal a breeding ground for filmmaking.”

Discussing the challenges of playing a real-life character, he noted, “When portraying someone who actually existed, you have stricter boundaries. My director, Reema Kagti, provided the perfect balance of guidance and creative freedom.” He also praised his co-stars Vineet Kumar Singh and Adarsh Gourav, calling them among the finest actors in the country.

Shashank’s journey in the industry hasn’t been easy. “I knew no one when I arrived here. But Kamal Haasan recently called me his favourite actor, so I suppose I’m on the right track,” he said.

With Superboys of Malegaon winning hearts, audiences eagerly await Shashank’s next project. His carefully chosen roles continue to cement his reputation as one of India’s most compelling actors.