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There’s always a certain curiosity that comes with starting a new show, especially when the role isn’t straightforward and has different layers of intensity and conflict. For Manoj Chandila, Oh Humnava—Tum Dena Saath Mera felt like that kind of opportunity—familiar territory in some ways, but also something that asked for more. The show, backed by Prateek Sharma and Parth Shah’s Studio LSD, gave him a role that leans into the darker side of human behaviour. Something he’s done before but not quite like this.
“In television, we rarely get a full script in hand,” he said.
“It’s usually a narration. Ameeta, my creative, explained the story and my character to me. And while she was narrating, I could actually feel the rush. I’ve played negative roles before, so my first thought was—this is another chance to take that a step ahead. It genuinely felt exciting.”
That excitement, though, quickly turned into the work of shaping the character.
“I tend to speak my lines quite fast,” he admitted.
“But this time, I’m deliberately slowing down. Pausing more. Letting moments sit. It adds to the tension. I’m also trying something new with this character—something I haven’t done before. I’d rather not say what it is yet, but I hope it lands well.”
While negative roles aren’t new for him, this one hit differently.
“My earlier characters were more about family drama—greed, jealousy, property inheritance, things like that. This role is harsher. It deals with emotional abuse, with breaking someone’s trust. Playing a man like that isn’t easy, especially when it’s so far from who you are as a person,” he said.
“That’s where it gets tricky. You’re trying to make something believable that you don’t personally agree with. I respect women, so getting into that headspace can be uncomfortable at times. But having a co-actor like Sriti really helps. She’s understanding, very collaborative—we figure things out together.”
For Manoj Chandila, the approach stays simple, even when the material isn’t.
“I don’t think in terms of ‘complex’ or ‘simple’ roles. For me, it’s about being honest. If it doesn’t feel real, it won’t look real either. So I try to imagine how someone like this would actually behave, and then go from there. It’s more of a mental process than anything else.”
He doesn’t overbuild the character either.
“I’m not someone who creates a long backstory. But I do think about small details—little things that can make the character feel more real over time.”
What makes this role stand out, according to him, is the emotional damage it carries.
“It’s more disturbing, in a way. It’s not just anger or manipulation—it’s about hurting someone deeply, emotionally. That makes it heavier.”
Away from the intensity of the role, the atmosphere on set has been a positive constant. He says,
“Studio LSD feels like home. I’ve worked with them before, and there’s a comfort level. It never feels like work in the usual sense. The energy is different here. They’re like family to me. I’m just glad they trusted me with this part.”
