Actor Pankit Thakker, currently seen as Chandru in the show Saru, believes that the most memorable characters are often defined not by what they reveal, but by what they choose to hide. Known for his nuanced performances in shows like Kabhii Sautan Kabhii Sahelii, Dill Mill Gayye, Bahu Hamari Rajni Kant, Bohot Pyaar Karte Hai, and Barsatein – Mausam Pyaar Ka, the actor recently opened up about his approach to building layered characters and sustaining them through the demanding schedule of daily television.
Finding the Character's Deepest Secret
For Pankit, every role begins with understanding the character's deepest secret. “I find the one thing he will never say out loud,” he shares. “In real life too, people only show a part of themselves. The rest stays hidden. My job is to understand that hidden part completely.”
That philosophy has shaped his portrayal of Chandru in Saru. “Chandru is a man carrying immense grief. He has lost the love of his life and his child. That pain exists beneath every scene and shows itself even when he is smiling,” he explains. “Once I understand what he’s hiding, the walk, the voice, and the expressions come naturally. I don’t build the character. I just stop pretending to be anyone else.”
Maintaining Emotional Continuity in Daily Soaps
Maintaining emotional continuity in daily soaps, where scenes are often shot out of sequence, is another challenge actors face. Pankit, however, has developed his own way of staying connected. “You can shoot a death scene and a wedding scene on the same day, and the audience should never feel the transition,” he says. “I never really lose the character. Even when I put him aside, he waits.”
Attracted to Complex Roles
The actor admits he is naturally drawn to complex and emotionally layered roles. “Since I started playing lead characters, most of the roles that have come my way have been layered and challenging,” he says. “These are the roles that allow me to explore human emotions in their truest form.”
For Pankit, acting is not about creating larger-than-life personas but about uncovering the truth hidden beneath them. “My goal has always been to create characters that stay with audiences long after the show ends,” he says. “Characters like Chandru teach me the value of nuance, subtlety, and emotional honesty. Those are the performances that leave a lasting impact.”
