Actor Shaan Grover, who recently received widespread appreciation for his impactful villainous role in the film Saiyaara, opened up about his journey as an actor—and how his foundation in theatre and filmmaking from a young age shaped who he is today.
While Shaan's role in Saiyaara was small, it left a lasting impression on audiences and critics alike, proving that screen time is no measure of impact.
In a candid reflection, Shaan shared: “Theatre helped me a lot. I did quite a bit of theatre during my life in Delhi. I even started making short films at a very young age.”
One such project became a defining moment in his early career: “Back in school, I made a short film with my best friend called Kuch Kar Dikhana Hai—it was based on dyslexia. It gave me great exposure and ended up winning the Vinod Dikshit Award. That was a huge moment for me. The award is named after Sheila Dixit’s husband, and it’s very prestigious. The film won across all of Delhi.”
Shaan not only acted in the film but also wrote and directed it himself, showcasing his multi-dimensional creativity even as a student. “I’m sharing this because I created that entire film—wrote it, directed it, acted in it. And doing all of that at such a young age was a signal, I think. People say no matter how many workshops you do or which institutes you go to, the way you learn on the job—there’s no substitute for that. And I got that learning very early on.”
He also spoke about the various spaces where he honed his craft: “I’m not saying I’m super talented—but since childhood, I’ve been making films and doing workshops. I worked with Akshara and Asmita theatre groups in Delhi. That gave me a deep understanding and real learning.”
In addition to his grassroots experience, Shaan has trained with some of the best in the industry: “I’ve done workshops with Mukesh Chhabra sir, Anupam Kher sir, and Atul Mongia sir. All of that has helped shape me as an actor.”
With Saiyaara earning him a new wave of recognition, this is clearly just the beginning for the actor who’s already spent a big time learning the craft behind the camera and on stage.