From modelling to TV and films, Sudhanshu Pandey has come a long way. The tall and handsome actor, who stepped into Kollywood with Ajith in Billa 2, is now working with Rajinikanth in Shankar’s 2 Point 0, where he plays a baddie. He also has a negative role in Indrajith, starring Gautham Karthik. He is in a happy place down south, having acted with biggies Ajith and Rajinikanth so early in his career.
While he is tight-lipped about his role in 2 Point 0, the grapevine says he plays scientist Danny Denzongpa’s son in the sequel to Robot, which will also star Akshay Kumar and Amy Jackson. “Everybody knows how Rajini and Ajith are full of humility and compassion. Rajini sir is a deeply spiritual person. He has such kind eyes. He is completely unreal. I tweeted that if there is a god on earth, it’s him. Though younger, Ajith is walking the same path of being grounded despite his star status,” he says.
When Sudhanshu signed on 2 Point 0, the reaction from people was overwhelming.
“Rajini is a magical phenomenon. There is a Rajini fan in every family across the globe. When people heard I was part of a Rajini film, they were like ‘wow, that’s a big one’. I really thank god for giving me a film with Rajinikanth and a brand like Shankar’s Robot. It’s a role I haven’t done before. It’s a negative role. In Indrajith too, I play the bad guy, but that’s only till the audience discovers why I do what I do and the story turns out to be something else in the end.”
Does he enjoy playing the baddie when he has the looks of a hero? “It’s not about playing a bad or a good guy. I enjoy playing any character which challenges me physically and mentally. It’s not about the length of the character, but its strength. It should leave a strong impression on the mind of the viewers.”
After working in several Bollywood films and one with Jackie Chan (The Myth in 2005), he says, “There’s always a slight difference and similarities between the two industries due to the local cultures and working styles. I have worked in Bollywood and a Hollywood production. One common thing among all creative people in cinema is a passion for making good films. The working atmosphere and style of dealing with things may differ in each place according to the local mindset.”
His best memory of working in 2 Point 0 is receiving a gift from Rajinikanth. “On the last day of the shoot, Rajini sir gave me a book with a handwritten note. He told me, ‘Sudhanshu, this book changed my life and I want you to read it’. I was totally moved by his gesture. He probably connected with me on a deep spiritual level, and it’s a moment I will cherish for the rest of my life.”