Pawan Chopra: The Director Shapes the Performance, and the Actor Brings it to Life

MUMBAI: Actor Pawan Chopra, known for his impactful roles in films like Sita Ramam (2022), Beast (2022), and Shershaah (2021), is currently seen as Maulana Abul Kalam Azad in Sony Liv's historical drama series Freedom at Midnight. He emphasizes the crucial role directors play in shaping an actor’s performance. According to him, the director's vision and inputs fine-tune the portrayal, ensuring it feels natural and authentic. “We ask for the script almost a month before the shoot, allowing us ample time for research,” he shares. “Understanding the story and character in depth, and planning your approach makes the process smoother. Before the shoot, I make it a point to meet the director and thoroughly discuss the character. Directors often go the extra mile to ensure clarity, like Zoya Akhtar did during Dil Dhadakne Do. She invited the cast to her bungalow to discuss scenes in detail, which helped immensely in understanding the character graph. These discussions guide you towards what the director envisions. I draw from my memories, thoughts, and experiences to bring authenticity to the role.”

Pawan highlights that creating a relatable character involves consistent effort even off-camera. “I let the character live in my thoughts when I’m not shooting—whether I’m sitting quietly or traveling. This continuous process helps me build layers to the character, making the performance convincing and relatable.” The actor also discusses the craft of switching between diverse roles and maintaining freshness in performances. “Playing different roles involves switching body language, mannerisms, and dialogues. Over time, it becomes an exciting challenge rather than a difficult task. Moving from one character to another gets easier with experience. From the cast to the production and even the genre, everything changes, which keeps the process dynamic and engaging.” He believes that each role demands a complete transformation. “When we get a new role, we work on the character’s body language, graph, and way of speaking. For example, in Vijay 69, I had to embody an older man, while in other movies, I’ve played a commander. The script becomes our guide for understanding the situation and the character. You have to unlearn or ‘unlove’ yourself to fully immerse in the character and make it look real,” he says. For Pawan, balancing authenticity and the director’s vision is key. “Ultimately, it’s the director who fine-tunes the performance, ensuring it stays natural and true to the story. Over time, I’ve learned to balance being authentic while meeting the director’s expectations. This synergy creates a performance that resonates with the audience,” he concludes.