‘Maidaan’ actor Chaitnya Sharma on playing football legend PK Banerjee: ‘I quit sugar; reached 8% body fat’

Chaitnya Sharma aka SlowCheeta is reveling in the appreciation he got for his portrayal of football icon PK Banerjee in Maidaan. Despite calling it a “difficult” role, the rapper — who just released the song Chai Biscuit as part of an EP called Scene Mein Bawal — said that it is the most “special part” he has ever played. But behind what you saw on screen went a lot of hard work, from shooting for 12 hours straight, giving up sugar, to having an identity crisis for almost three years, about which he opened up in an exclusive interaction with indianexpress.com. Read the edited excerpts below:

You did not bag the role you wanted in Gully Boy, but it was while shooting for the movie that you were spotted for Maidaan. Would it be right to say that this film is, perhaps, your debut in its true sense?

Chaitnya Sharma: Yes, and no. While choosing characters, my benchmark is how much my character affects the story. In Maidaan, PK Banerjee is key to the story. In that sense, it feels like a debut. But, to get here, I needed to do the work I’d done before, whether it’s Gully Boy, Brahmastra, web series, TV shows, or theatre. In that sense, it would be unfair to call this my debut. But it does feel like the most special part I have played in my life, hands down.

Playing PK Banerjee is no mean feat. Did you ever feel intimidated you had big shoes to fill? Are you a follower/fan of the sport and the sportsman?

Chaitnya Sharma: PK Banerjee is one of the most decorated Indian football players in Indian history. I knew exactly what he meant to the Indian football team and the Asia Cup at the time. As someone who loves and plays sports, especially football, filling in his shoes—literally and figuratively—was very difficult.

I met him when we visited our set once in Calcutta. It made me push myself harder. I quit sugar and any other unhealthy substance that entered my body. I was on a clean diet, and reached 8 per cent body fat. I maintained it for three years since the shoot lasted that long. I put every ounce of energy I had into the character.

 

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A post shared by SlowCheeta (@_slowcheeta_)

Your first love – music or acting?

Chaitnya Sharma: Chai Biscuit, my recently released song, has a line answering this question – people keep asking me, bro, are you a rapper or an actor? I said I’m a tractor.

I am an artiste, I like to express myself. These two forms (of art) attract me a lot – music, which involves rhythm, and acting, which involves breath. For me, breath and rhythm are probably the most essential things we need to learn in our lives.

However, despite it being a tough choice, I will give you an answer. There is nothing that compares to performing my songs live on stage in front of a massive audience, screaming, clapping, and cheering for me; the most incredible experience available to a human being, the best high. I think there are very few privileged, lucky people who get to experience it. I’m one of them and I think that is my favorite thing to do.

You are married to actor Shweta Tripathi. Did you take tips from her to ace your part in Maidaan?

Chaitnya Sharma: Yes, I did, but not only for Maidaan. She is a crucial part of every song I write, every role I play. It’s incredible to be married to someone who inspires you because you don’t have even a day to slack.

When I got really thin for this part, people around me were appalled. It was annoying to keep explaining it’s all for a part I am playing. Shweta was the one person who gave me confidence. She told me I am an actor in character, and not looking like myself because of it was fine. I needed that because identity crisis can be very unnerving at times.

However, more than acting tips, she offers life hacks. Whenever I’m down and out in a slump, she finds a way to reach out to me and just pull me out. So yeah, Shweta Tripathi Sharma for the win.

Shweta is also a fitness enthusiast. Do you share a combined love for the gym?

Chaitnya Sharma: I will have to take credit for this one. When we met 10 years ago, she was far from a fitness enthusiast. I was obsessive about fitness. Fitness is something I brought into the relationship and she latched onto; and then like most things she does, once she starts, she takes it to the next level.

You both never shy away from sharing pictures of you both, talking about your love story, and even sharing a kiss on stage. How would you describe your relationship?

Chaitnya Sharma: Our love story on the Internet is probably one per cent of what it actually is. We’ve managed to extend the ‘honeymoon phase’ for 10 years now. We are very particular when it comes to spending time with each other. We do get taken away from each other for long periods of time due to our schedules, but I think distance makes the heart fonder.

I think we have had at least 10 different versions (of ourselves) in 10 years. But, we’ve learned to fall in love with every version, and grow with each other. We do have our fights, but those moments really tell you how much you love someone and are willing to compromise and sacrifice to keep this thing alive and kicking. She is my biggest strength and my best decision.

 

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A post shared by Shweta Tripathi Sharma (@battatawada)

Let’s talk about your music now. Where do you think Indian rap stands on the global map?

Chaitnya Sharma: We are getting a lot of international attention too. I think hip-hop as a form of music is well suited to the Indian ecosystem. It’s a form of expression for people who belong to the streets, for those who want to vent out emotions—happiness, sadness, love, romance—without judgment. It’s a very intricate art form where everyone has a different story and different style of telling that story. I think we are doing really well, making a lot of noise. It is just a matter of time before we blow up at a global level.

The lyrics to rap songs are often considered controversial – your take on the evolution of this genre?

Chaitnya Sharma: Rap has always been a free-flowing form of expression; toh usme kuch logon ko bura lagega, kuch logon ko acha lagega (some will like it, some won’t). What was controversial 10 years ago may not be so today. I feel art forms should be allowed to be expressed. You can decide not to take it, but don’t try to stop, curb, or curtail it; then you will be killing the form.

Yes, hip-hop has bad language, disculture, and people talking about women, drugs, cars and alcohol. But it also has poetry, life, and philosophy. We get attracted more to the controversial bits, a reason why they work, which is why there’s more of that kind of music. If we consume poetry like we consume controversy, I think it’ll change everything.

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