From her classical dance career to becoming a familiar face on television, Sudha Chandran looks back at the experiences that shaped her long journey in entertainment.
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Sudha Chandran on how pay disparity has changed (PC: IMDb)
Sudha Chandran is a respected name in Indian entertainment, known for her work in television as well as her achievements as a classical Bharatanatyam dancerOver the years, she has delivered memorable performances and become a familiar face to audiences through popular shows including Kaahin Kissii Roz and NaaginAfter building a strong legacy on television, the veteran actor is now exploring the growing world of digital storytellingShe will next be seen in the micro-drama Hisab Barabar, where she plays the role of a motherStreaming on the TukTuki App, the series gives her an opportunity to take on a fresh role while bringing her experienced screen presence to a new format.
Sudha Chandran on pay disparity then and now
During an exclusive conversation with India.com, Sudha Chandran was asked about pay disparity in the entertainment industry and whether she feels the situation has changed, the veteran actress said, “The industry has definitely evolved, but I think there is still room for greater parityWhen I started, the remuneration structures were very differentFor instance, when I started playing Ramola Sikand, I was earning around Rs 3,000 per day, whereas today I earn substantially moreBut for me, the journey has never been only about moneyIt is also about the respect, recognition and opportunities that come with your work.”
She further said, “I do believe that when an actor, irrespective of gender, is bringing audiences and adding value to a project, that contribution should be recognised and compensated fairlyThe conversation around pay has certainly become more open today, which I think is a positive step, but there is still more progress to be made.”
Sudha Chandran on making every strong character different
During the conversation, Sudha Chandran was also asked about playing strong women across her career and how she makes every new character feel differentShe said, “For me, the key is not to repeat myselfEven if two characters are strong or negative, their motivations, emotional worlds and ways of expressing themselves have to be differentI have consciously tried to avoid stereotypical portrayals because every woman has her own circumstances, vulnerabilities and strengths.”
She further said, “I look for the layers within a character because that is what makes the performance interestingBefore approaching a role, I try to understand what drives that woman, what she fears and what she wants, because those details naturally make one character different from another.”
Sudha Chandran on exploring new formats from films to micro-dramas
Sudha Chandran was also asked what keeps her excited about moving from films like Mayuri to television and now micro-dramasThe veteran actress and dancing legend said, “I think curiosity keeps me goingI have never wanted to be confined to one image or one mediumMayuri gave me my beginning, television gave me some of my most memorable characters, and now formats like micro-dramas are opening another avenue for storytelling.”
Sudha further said, “Working with TukTuki on Hisab Barabar has been another opportunity to experience how the industry is evolving and how audiences are discovering stories in newer waysEvery generation consumes content differently, and as an artist, I find it exciting to evolve along with the audienceAs long as there are interesting characters and stories to explore, I don’t see a reason to stop experimenting.”
