Kanwar Dhillon on Lessons from Sachin, Strength and Being True this International Men’s Day; “Life will be full of ups and downs, just deal with each stage of life as it comes and never stop dreaming.”

This International Men’s Day, we speak with actor Kanwar Dhillon, who plays Sachin in Udne Ki Aasha. Kanwar reflects on how his role has given him insight into the strengths and struggles of everyday men and shares his thoughts on the importance of leading a life rooted in authenticity and honesty.

This year’s International Men’s Day theme is about celebrating men and boys. What is the importance of celebrating men’s contributions to society, which often goes unnoticed?

I feel we should be equally celebrated as much as we celebrate women on Women’s Day or on their special days. Women are equally contributing to society and to their families today just as much as men. I would just want men and boys to be equally celebrated as much as we celebrate women.

 

Sachin represents the everyday working-class man in Udne Ki Aasha. What has playing this role taught you about the struggles and strengths of men in real life?

Absolutely! Sachin represents everyday working-class men and that is why the audience of Udne Ki Aasha relates so much to the character of Sachin, and you would be surprised to know that I interact and meet an equal number of male viewers as female viewers of Udne Ki Aasha. The kind of ratio that I have seen with this show, and the kind of fan-following that the show has amongst men is something else, and that shows the kind of relatability and connection people develop with a character like Sachin who is a taxi driver, and has his own struggles in life. He is a lower middle-class person, he takes care of his family, fends for himself, and manages everything with his basic income. That is a large population of our country which lives this life and I’m eternally grateful that I am getting to play this kind of character that connects with such a large section of the audience.

 

Sachin is very unfiltered, raw, and real in his approach to life. How important is it for men to have an authentic approach to overcome their challenges in life?

Well yes, Sachin is unfiltered, raw and real in his approach to life, and so am I as Kanwar, and I think that is the best way to live life and take everything head on. It is definitely important for not only men but also women to have an authentic approach to overcoming any challenge that life throws at you because that is the way to look at it, and that is the way to move forward in life. You cannot be holding up to any stressful situation or sitting with self-pity for anything in life. And that is also exactly what Sachin does; he overcomes any challenge that life throws at him, any obstacle that creates a roadblock in his journey of doing something in life. Be it him or be it Sailee, or his family; he goes out of his way, in whatever little way he can, and he solves every problem that comes his way. Even a basic challenge like not having a bedroom in the house for him and his wife, he took it upon himself to earn money and build a bedroom on the terrace. When life threw challenges, even there, he bought a bed and chose a small corner of the drawing room wherein he said they could sleep until they built the room on the terrace. That is something relatable for any regular family who stays together in a small house. That is how Sachin is, and I think that is how most of us manage our lives.

 

On International Men’s Day, what would you like to say to fans who see themselves in Sachin, and who look up to you?

On International Men’s Day, I would only like to say one thing to my fans and fans of Sachin who see themselves in Sachin or me; life is very uncertain, it will show you good days and bad days, but at the end of the day, it’s very important to hold yourself together come what may and take every obstacle that life throws at you head on practically, and with your emotions, but you shouldn’t let your emotions take over your decision making power or your capabilities in life so much that you’re unable to overcome the challenges life throws at you. Life will be full of ups and downs, just deal with each stage of life as it comes and never stop dreaming. Work towards your dreams, goals, and fend for your family and just keep your loved ones together and happy, and I think that’s the basic mantra of life that will keep you going on.