Actor Siddharth Shaw, who plays the intense character Arun in the widely discussed series Chiraiya, has opened up about the overwhelming audience response he received after the show’s release. The series has sparked strong conversations for its bold storytelling, and his performance has been at the center of both praise and criticism.
Speaking about how he approaches roles, Siddharth emphasized that reinvention is essential for an actor. He believes every character should feel different from the last, allowing audiences to constantly see a new side of him. As he explained,
"That is precisely the challenge for an actor: if, in my previous role, I was the "greenest of green flags," then now I want to portray a character with shades of gray—one that leans more towards being a "red flag." And prior to that—as you mentioned earlier—there was the character Rathore; from him, I evolved into Rohit, and now I have become Arun. So, the next character you see me in—and the next film I do—represents my ongoing challenge as an actor: to ensure it is completely distinct from what came before. It is my job to keep surprising people and to keep bringing something new to the table. That is exactly how I approach it."
He noted that one of the biggest challenges after Chiraiya was audience perception. Many viewers initially struggled to separate him from the character Arun, leading to strong emotional reactions directed at him personally. According to him, this is often what happens when a performance feels too real on screen.
Talking about the backlash, he admitted that the role brought him significant hate online, but he does not view it negatively. In fact, he believes it signals that he successfully portrayed the character with honesty and impact. He said that if audiences strongly dislike a character, it often means the storytelling has worked.
He further explained that early reactions slowly shifted as audiences began understanding the difference between the actor and the role. Interviews and conversations helped clarify that Arun was purely fictional, allowing viewers to appreciate the performance without confusion.
Sharing his thoughts on the emotional response, he said, "I would say that a significant amount of the love I eventually received came to me through that phase of hate. That’s because, initially, people simply couldn't grasp the distinction—they didn't realize that "this person" (Siddharth) is a separate entity from "this character" (Arun). You see, when you encounter someone on screen for the very first time in a specific avatar, you tend to assume, "Oh, this is exactly what they must be like in real life." In reality, that is not at all the kind of person I am. So, stepping out into that space—and thanks be to God for the kind of traction we received, and for the conversations people sparked—we entered the initial phase. Yes, the hate poured in; it came in abundance. Yet, I am deeply grateful for that hate, because I view it as a sign that I did my job correctly—the fact that you detest such a character."
He added that controversy and emotional reactions are part of impactful storytelling, especially when dealing with morally complex roles. For him, both love and hate reflect audience engagement, which ultimately validates the performance.
Chiraiya itself is a socially charged drama set in Lucknow, focusing on two women—Kamlesh (Divya Dutta), a traditional homemaker, and Pooja (Prasanna Bisht), a young bride who becomes a victim of marital abuse. The series explores Kamlesh’s transformation as she stands by Pooja, challenging deep-rooted societal norms.
Also starring Sanjay Mishra and Faisal Rashid, and created by Divy Nidhi Sharma with direction by Shashant Shah, the series has gained attention for its emotional depth and bold subject matter.