Latest news with #SparshShrivastava
India Today
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Spotlight on Sparsh Shrivastava
Accidental actor. That's the phrase Sparsh Shrivastava uses to describe his 16-year run as an entertainer. The Agra boy was 11 when he won the dance reality show, Chak Dhoom Dhoom. Acting wasn't on the horizon, he says, but his connection with the camera was undeniable and, by 2017, he knew that Mumbai was to be his new home. Last year, the 27-year-old actor's breakthrough moment came with Laapataa Ladies, where his convincing turn as a naive groom stuck with somebody else's wife tickled as well as won hearts. In March, he scored another hit as a young wannabe with Bollywood on his mind in the Amazon Prime sitcom Dupahiya. And last month, Sparsh made a case for being a multi-hyphenate artist after releasing his first single, Ji Huzoor. 'I want to set an example for the audience and say that if you want to do something in life, you don't have to rely on excuses,' he says. 'Work hard and you will get there.'
India Today
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Has Sparsh Shrivastava faced bias due to TV background? Actor answers
Sparsh Shrivastava, who has been winning accolades for his performances in Kiran Rao's 'Laapataa Ladies' and the web series 'Dupahiya', also recently showcased his musical abilities as he released his single, 'Ji Huzoor'. While this might come as surprise, what many might have forgotten is how Shrivastava has been working in the entertainment industry for a long time. He won the dance reality show, Chak Dhoom Dhoom, at 13, which might explain his flawless moves in the song from 'Dupahiya'. He also acted in shows like 'Shake It Up' and 'Balika Vadhu'.advertisementMany actors, who have their roots in TV, have often complained of a bias working against them in the entertainment industry. Many said that landing a role in a film becomes a task. So, has Sparsh faced it?"It might be there, but honestly, I have never faced it. In fact, I see it [TV stint] in a very positive way because I don't come from any acting school. Maine padh likhkar ya school jakar acting nahi sikhi (I did not have any formal training), I learnt in on the job. So, I see this TV time as my acting school and OTT as my post-graduation (smiles). And films would be the job," he told during an exclusive interview with India Today Digital. The actor also added that he still faces rejection, even after a hit like Laapataa Ladies. Explaining that it's normal, he told us, "Because what happens is, I may be a better actor, but a character may suit someone else better. They may look a certain way, their body type, expressions, or facial structure might be what the makers are looking for. So, I think the filmmakers would naturally choose them."advertisementIn fact, he does not take rejections personally. "I don't take rejections very personally. In fact, I celebrate them. That's my way. There was one project I was very attached to a long time ago, and when that didn't work out. It shook me a little. I told myself that I will not get affected by these things. Rather, I went and gave myself a treat. So now, I celebrate my rejections." While Sparsh doesn't feel the pressure of living up to the hype that he has created with Laapataa Ladies, he does feel responsible to choose good scripts. "There is only one purpose of scripts, films, web shows, dance shows -- to entertain the audiences. Everything else comes later. So whatever project I do, if it can give a good message, great! Otherwise, it should at least bring a smile to my audiences. They should get a relief from their stressful lives," Sparsh also spoke about being stereotyped, and explained that he will always strive to bring something new to every character, however similar they might recently turned singer, lyricist, and composer with the single, 'Ji Huzoor'. He also added that he is very serious about pursuing music and wants to do music tours as well, besides Watch
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
International Dance Day: Sparsh Shrivastava – Dance isn't just about movement, it's about feeling every moment
Sparsh Shrivastava and (right) in Dupahiya Before Sparsh Shrivastava won over audiences with his portrayals of Sunny Mondal in Jamtara – Sabka Number Ayega and Deepak Kumar in Laapataa Ladies , he captured their hearts through dance. At just 11 years old, he was crowned the winner of dance reality show Chak Dhoom Dhoom and later performed on Shake It Up. Specialising in folk, Kathak, and Bollywood dance forms, Sparsh's foundation in dance set the stage for his acting career. Reflecting on his experiences, the actor credits his time in dance competitions for teaching him how to handle pressure. 'Wow, those were like wild rides,' he recalls, adding, 'Now that I look back, I was this kid trying to give his 110 per cent in every round, and learning so much just by being around other dancers. Those shows taught me how to handle pressure, how to perform in front of people, and how to stay grounded even when the lights are brightest. I didn't just learn how to dance, I learned how to carry myself.' Dance, which requires discipline and expression, shares many qualities with acting. Sparsh explains how he balances both crafts in his daily routine. He says, 'It's all about staying connected. I try to dedicate time to both. Sometimes it's dancing at home, sometimes it's working on scenes or attending workshops. Both require you to be present, patient, and honest. And thankfully, my mom keeps me grounded. She's the one who reminds me that before the art, there's the emotion and without emotion, none of it matters.' On International Dance Day , he has a message for those who wish to pursue both acting and dance. He shares, 'I would say don't limit yourself. Don't feel like you have to choose between dance and acting . Let your love for one art form spark curiosity for the other. Stay true to who you are and follow your heart. It's your authenticity and passion that will connect you to your audience, no matter what you're doing. Keep learning, keep pushing yourself, but most importantly, enjoy every step of the journey.' He adds, 'I am always reminded of the fact that it's not just about movement but about feeling every moment. And hey, if you stumble, just call it an impromptu routine, it's all part of the show! Keep dancing through life, because the best performances come when you least expect them.'
Hindustan Times
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
What are we all watching?: Deepanjana Pal on the missing Hindi comfort show
The other day, our family doctor put me on the spot. 'Got any movie or show recommendations, preferably in Hindi?' he asked. This shouldn't be a challenge in the age of streaming, but I could only sit there and gawp. So far, 2025 has been trying for those of us expected to serve up menus of options to fans of Hindi entertainment. Regional cinema has delivered satisfying watches such as Alappuzha Gymkhana (Malayalam), the story of young, aspiring boxing champions. Sharmila Tagore delivered a standout performance in Puratawn (Bengali for Ancient), about a mother, a daughter and an 80th birthday party. Titles like these stand distinctly apart from the lacklustre listings out of Bollywood. Even if excess, spectacle and gloss are all your heart desires, there hasn't been much to choose from. Chhaava has been the biggest hit of the first quarter, but to recommend any of the Hindi films released so far this year is to risk one's credibility. On streaming, there was the slow but elegant storytelling of Black Warrant, set in New Delhi's Tihar Jail in the 1980s. The second season of Paatal Lok was a gripping watch and immensely bingeable, despite lapses of logic in its denouement. And that's about it. Of late, the bulk of Hindi entertainment has teetered between mediocre and disappointing. A monotony has set into streaming shows and films alike, with a surfeit of predictable action and crime dramas. Glaringly absent in the line-up is the good comfort watch. The show to come closest so far is Dupahiya, which feels like a work of Panchayat fan-fiction, and needed a whole lot more of Sparsh Shrivastava , who plays the fame-hungry but endearing Bhugol in this story of matchmaking going wrong; but is best-known for his role as the hapless (and wife-less) husband in 2023's Laapataa Ladies. Until recently, Indian OTT platforms managed a steady supply of well-made feel-good shows. There was Gullak (at least the first two seasons), Ghar Waapsi, Mismatched, Bandish Bandits (at least Season 2) and the first two seasons of Panchayat. There was laughter and tenderness in these shows, which were often rooted in a credible reality but went on to imagine a kinder world with happy endings for those who deserved them. Especially when the real world is rife with tension and uncertainty, well-made comfort watches can be a lifeline. A fantastic example is this year's Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy. In it, the iconic protagonist (Renee Zellweger) is older, sadder and grappling with the grief of losing her beloved Mark Darcy (Colin Firth). Despite everything, she holds on to her silliness, and ends up more endearing than ever. The film, the fourth in the franchise, revives some beloved characters, including Hugh Grant as Daniel Cleaver, while introducing delicious dollops of newness to Bridget's world. It also gives us that rare delight: an older woman protagonist unashamed of her desires. Too often, in Hollywood, when a middle-aged woman acts on her sexual curiosity, it is depicted as transgressive and laced with a whiff of shame. Invariably, she succumbs to anxious jealousy built up around a younger woman. (As much as Nicole Kidman deserves applause for choosing films helmed by women directors, last year's Babygirl is guilty of all this.) Not Bridget Jones, though. She remains a messy heroine, but is secure in herself. She is brave enough to demand happiness from the universe and — because the film is a comfort watch — the universe complies. A Hindi film or series with the sensibility of …Mad About the Boy would have been just what the doctor ordered, for our family doctor. Instead, I asked him if he liked vampires and suggested Ryan Coogler's incandescent Sinners (2025), which is as much a love letter to blues music as it is a period drama and vampire flick. As recommendations go, it's a good one. The film is disturbing, thought-provoking and beautiful. But, as I advised the good doctor, those with a low threshold for horror might want to line up an uncomplicated comfort watch to follow. We contain multitudes, after all; why shouldn't the entertainment we consume do the same? (To reach Deepanjana Pal with feedback, write to @dpanjana on Instagram)
India Today
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Sparsh Shrivastava admits to being stereotyped: But I have different perspective
Actor Sparsh Shrivastava, who won hearts as the innocent Deepak Kumar in Kiran Rao's 'Laapataa Ladies', spoke about stereotyping and whether he faces it in an exclusive interview with India Today Digital. Sparsh, mostly seen in dramas and films set in rural India, had also recently expressed his wish to feature in a more urbane project."There is stereotyping, and I do get approached for that (rural characters). Lekin, aap karo stereotype (But, you keep stereotyping), but I will bring something new and fresh to the craft. Once you watch it, it will feel different," Sparsh Shrivastava said while speaking to was recently seen in the Prime Video series 'Dupahiya,' where he played the character of Bhugol. The actor added that he remains unfazed by the industry stereotyping him and also offered a new perspective on it. Watch the full interview here: "But, I don't see it like that. I have a different perspective," he continued, adding, "We have seen so many veteran actors doing only romantic cinema, or fighting villains. You never called it stereotyping then, so why give it a label now?"The 27-year-old has recently made his debut as a singer, songwriter, and composer with the song Ji Huzoor. Also featuring Preeti Panigrahi of 'Girls Will Be Girls' fame, it is a peppy romantic Watch
