‘Industry shows violence because audiences want it’: Saurabh Shukla on films, Kolkata and changing times

Actor, writer and filmmaker Saurabh Shukla was in Kolkata recently, where a game of table tennis, a plate of snacks and a lively conversation led to discussions on cinema, culture, career, and the changing tastes of audiences. Speaking to Ei Samay, the veteran actor shared his thoughts on everything from Kolkata's charm to the debate around violence in films.

Rosogolla, adda and old-world charm: The magic that keeps him returning

Asked whether a visit to Kolkata is incomplete without rosogolla, Shukla said the city offers much more than sweets.

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"Absolutely. Not just sweets, I love the food culture of Kolkata. It is also a city rich in culture and heritage. People here take pride in art and culture. The love that people in this city have for artists is truly touching."

He added that Kolkata's old buildings, narrow lanes and adda culture continue to attract him.

"Like every city, Kolkata has changed over time. But it still retains a strange charm that makes every visit special."

Why change should be embraced

Reflecting on how life and careers evolve with time, Shukla said he has never had a problem accepting change.

"You will often hear people say that what we saw in our time no longer exists. But why should it? Everything changes with time."

The actor believes continuous learning is important, especially in today's fast-changing world.

"I always want to learn something new. I feel everyone should learn something new every six months. Especially when it comes to language. Half the time I don't understand what Gen Z is saying. But they will naturally speak their own language. It is our job to learn and understand it."

Balancing acting, writing and personal interests

Shukla, who remains active across multiple projects, said time management becomes easier when one genuinely enjoys what they do.

"People always find time for things they love. If someone enjoys cooking or exercising, they will make time for it regardless of how busy they are."

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He described table tennis as one of his favourite activities.

"I love playing table tennis whenever I get the opportunity. But I do not have the mindset of a professional athlete. I play because I enjoy the game."

At the same time, acting remains both his passion and profession. "I enjoy acting. It is also my profession. Since I work with my heart, time somehow manages itself."

According to Shukla, there is no fixed formula when choosing projects.

"There is no single factor. Sometimes it is the script, sometimes the narrative. In some cases, it is about who is making the project, and at times, it is the platform. The scale of the project also matters."

He added that just as he works on different kinds of projects, there are different reasons behind accepting them.

'Love the entire process': Shukla's advice to aspiring actors

When young actors approach him for guidance, Shukla encourages them to enjoy the process rather than obsess over results.

"I tell them to have fun while working. I advise them to love the entire process."

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He also strongly recommends theatre. "Cinema is a money-making process, while theatre is a platform where acting gets polished. Through theatre, one becomes familiar with every aspect of performance, from props and set design to scripts and acting. It helps build a strong foundation."

When asked how he prepares for a role, Shukla responded with humour. "That is a secret. I charge a lot of money for my work," he said with a laugh. "If I reveal how I prepare for a character, others will start preparing the same way."

His desire to work in Bengali cinema

The actor rejected the idea of dividing cinema into separate industries. "What Bengali film industry? Can art and artists really be divided into industries? There is no difference. Art is the same everywhere."

He said he gives the same answer whenever people ask him about Hindi cinema, regional cinema or even Brazilian cinema.

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"Cinema is cinema. It has only one language, so please do not create divisions."

However, he admitted that he would like to work in a Bengali-language film in the future. "I have not yet worked in a Bengali-language film, so I would like to. I grew up watching many Bengali films."

'The audience wants it': Shukla explains the violence trend

Responding to the debate around toxic masculinity and violence in Bollywood, Shukla argued that audience demand plays a major role.

"One thing must be understood clearly. The primary goal of any industry is to do good business. And what is the basic principle of business? Providing people with what they want."

He said discussions about violence in films should begin with understanding audience preferences.

"Before saying Bollywood only shows toxic masculinity and violence, we need to examine what audiences are actually asking for."

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Shukla noted that earlier Indian films featured much less graphic violence.

"Hollywood used to show it. If a hand was cut off, blood would gush out dramatically. People saw that and thought, if Hollywood can show it, why can't we?"

He said a similar trend followed with the use of abusive language in films. "People saw Western films using abusive language and thought we should do the same."

Interestingly, he pointed out that Hollywood has now reduced the use of such elements. "Hollywood has become tired of these things and has reduced their use. But we have not. Because right now, this formula is working here."