Actor and theatre artist Drishika Chander opens up on her layered role in Suyodhana, navigating rejection, and carving her own path in cinema.
In an industry driven by spectacle and speed, actor and theatre practitioner Drishika Chander is quietly building a career shaped by process, patience, and purpose. With her upcoming film Suyodhana, featuring actors Priyadarshi Pulikonda and Sai Kumar, she steps into a layered narrative that mirrors her own journey, complex, evolving, and deeply personal.
Directed by Y. S. Madhav Reddy and produced by Nidumolu Bosubabu, Suyodhana brings together a compelling cast led by Priyadarshi Pulikonda and Drishika Chander, with Sai Kumar in a powerful supporting role. Positioned as a layered psychological drama, the film weaves together intricate character arcs and unfolding narratives, promising an intense cinematic experience driven by performance and storytelling depth.
In an exclusive interaction, Drishika spoke about her role as an aspiring filmmaker in Suyodhana, a character she describes as “multi-layered and emotionally demanding.” “What drew me first was the story,” she shared. “Every character contributes to the narrative’s depth. It’s not linear, it unfolds gradually, and that’s what excited me.”
The film, positioned as a psychological drama, challenged her not just as an actor but as an interpreter of nuance. “Every scene carries multiple layers. Staying true to the character while contributing to the story’s complexity was the real challenge,” she noted, choosing to keep key plot details under wraps ahead of the release.
Drishika’s grounded perspective on rejection stands out in an era of instant validation. Having faced numerous audition setbacks, she approaches the process with clarity rather than discouragement. “The director has a vision. If you fit the character, you get it. If not, you move forward. I’ve learned to simplify rejection in my mind; it helps you keep going,” she explained, offering a quiet but firm message to young aspirants: resilience is built through perspective.
Her journey into cinema, however, was anything but accidental. The daughter of a National Award-winning costume designer, Deepa Chander, recognized with a Nandi Award for Best Costume Designer for her work in Arundhati, Drishika was first exposed to film sets during her childhood. She even auditioned for the role of a young Arundhati, a moment she credits as the spark that ignited her interest in acting.
Despite pursuing a Master’s degree in Fashion in New York, performance remained her calling. She turned to theatre to overcome her introversion and assess her craft. “I didn’t even know if I had talent. Theatre helped me discover that, and shape it,” she said.
Her theatre work eventually opened doors to screen opportunities, including her involvement in the critically noted short film Manasanama, which earned recognition in the Guinness World Records and received nominations in the short film circuit.
Reflecting on the challenges of navigating the film industry independently, she acknowledges the difficulty but remains anchored in belief. “I’ve tried to carve my own path. It’s not easy, but I remind myself—this too shall pass,” she said, echoing a mantra passed down by her mother.
As Suyodhana gears up for release, Drishika Chander stands at an inflection point, an artist shaped by theatre discipline, cinematic exposure, and a global academic background. Her advice to aspiring actors is simple yet profound: “Step out of your comfort zone. Theatre, especially, teaches you more than just performance; it helps you grow as a person.”
