Chetan Dhanani was born on 16th August 1984 in Kutchh, Gujarat. His parents Devshankar and Geeta Dhanani – his father was a businessman and mother a homemaker. Chetan has four sisters all are CA and he is married to a Homeopathic doctor. He is a B.Com graduate from MS University Baroda and completed his Diploma in Performing arts from the same university
Chetan shifted to Baroda when he was in the 8th grade. During his college years ( B.Com & CA) he was very involved in youth festivals as an organizer and helper. His inspiration for the stage sprang from there. He decided and took the admission for Diploma in Drama and the performing arts was the space he saw himself to be in. Like most caring parents his choice of career came out of the blue. They needed a bit of convincing as being from a business family they saw him doing his CA and joining the business and definitely not become an actor.
Double duties and shifts
The first year of diploma in drama was hectic and stressful as he was doing a part-time job in a bank, coaching B.com students at one of the coaching classes, attending his diploma classes in the evening, and then ensuring he makes it for the rehearsals for plays. A 24-hour day felt short, however, this was his learning period for him from many angles. He had an eye to plunge into direction too, but thanks to his seniors he landed few roles in plays, and because he has a good personality and voice, he managed to get more acting roles.
Multi-talented and multi-tasker
Chetan is a multitalented personality. He acts, writes, and also works as an assistant director. His acting debut was in 2009 with the mystery crime drama – Dvandva. In 2017 he debuted as a writer and assistant director with Rahul Bhole and Vinit Kanojia in the Gujarati comedy Chor Bani Thangaat Kare. In 2018 he had the privilege to star in a Gujarati drama movie Reva under directors Rahul Bhole and Vinit Kanojia.
Going with the flow!
After completing of Diploma in drama, he went to Mumbai as in Gujarat the scope and exposure for urban movies were not popular in 2007-08. He started working in dramas in various small roles. He joined Prithvi theatre’s drama director Manoj Shah. Chetan and his seniors from college Vaibhav Binivala took part in the Chitralekha Drama Competition and bagged seven awards creating a record of one play being honored with seven awards. A good start and they started getting recognized and noticed.
Good roles started flowing in. When Chetan was in the process of doing the play “Jal Jal Bade Patang” with Manoj Shah at the Prithvi Theatres, a producer saw the show and gave Chetan his first break in a commercial play. He was signed on for “Gandhi before Gandhi” and was based on the life of Virchand Raghav Gandhi who was a freedom fighter. Chetan played the lead role of Virchand Raghav Gandhi. It turned out the play was a super hit and has around 200 shows all over. Around the same time, Paresh Raval was on the lookout for a good actor to play the role of his son in “Dear Father“. Umesh Shukla director and Bhavesh Mandliya the writer of the movie “Oh My God” noticed Chetan and offered him the role to play the son of Paresh Raval in “Dear Father”. A huge break indeed for Chetan.
Life’s puzzle fall in place
Destiny has its way and creates its own screenplay. Things began to fall in place for Chetan and his comrades Rahul Bhole and Vinit Kanojia. The three of them were friends since college. The trio began working on a script for “Hemlo” based on Hamet of Shakespeare. Unfortunately, they found it difficult to find producers as the Gujarati film chapter was not ready for urban movies. Conventional movies seem to do well among those audiences. Another learning experience on the mindset of people for them that helped them on the way forward.
Dramas and movies were always a passion with them. They were working on a film called “Reva” which is based on the novel “Tatvamsi“. Though their first love was and is theater they also worked on films and made short films and documentaries. Chetan loves both the platforms and his love for the performing arts will not let him chose one over the other. Many seasoned actors like Paresh Raval are very open about their love for theater over films.
When they were preparing for “Reva”, they got an offer for “Chor Bani Thangat Kare”. The producer saw a short film directed by Rahul Bhole on youtube and he wanted to make a full movie on that subject. They accepted the offer and started working on it. Chetan tried his handson screenplay and writing for the movie for the first time. besides penning songs for this film. Chetan feels if the opportunity arises one my try one’s hand at everything and do the best in every way.
His debut film ‘Reva’ not only found critical acclaim, but it also traveled to various national and international film festivals. The film won National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Gujarati at the 66th National Film Awards. Looking at the success of a film that is not a typical masala entertainer, Chetan feels that Dollywood ( Gujarati cinema) is coming of age and the industry is turning more professional. He feels, 2018 was a landmark year for this industry as it proved that if a film is made well, the genre doesn’t matter.” He adds films like Dhh, Reva, and Chal Man JeetvaJaiye proved that the audience is ready to accept content-driven films provided they are made well. This has given a lot of confidence to the filmmaker and the industry will ride high on this confidence, making much better films in 2019.
Love for acting his motivation
A lover of good acting, Chetan never had any specific role model but admired many great actors like Irfan Khan, Manoj Bajpayee, Paresh Ravava, KK Menon. He hopes to one day reach the stature of the great actors. He has had the privilege to work with Paresh Raval for the last 7-8 years. For Chetan and many like him, Paresh Raval is an institution in himself and one can learn a great deal when one works with actors like Paresh Raval and the others. Chetan has followed and admired world cinema too. He admires and is inspired by Leonardo de Caprio, Tom hank, and Daniel day-Lewis.
Taking the plunge and proving himself
The struggle he faced was to convince his parents to allow him to go for drama and entertainment, as he was a bright student and his father wanted him to become a successful CA like his sisters. His career path changed altogether from commerce to drama, his father was afraid of the entertainment world as it’s controversial and not secure – understandably so. His father gave him an ultimatum to leave the home. They gave Chetan time to try acting and drama for 2 years and then decide if he will be able to make a mark here or not. However, his sisters and mother were supportive, and gradually with the grace of God, he got name, fame, and good work so his father accepted his career in this industry.
Accomplishment closest to his heart
He counts working with Paresh Raval sir as a major accomplishment of his career. Through his movie “Reva” he feels that people message conveyed was exactly as portrayed and that gives him immense satisfaction besides he also bagged the award for his debut film a huge achievement.
Herd mentality to change – Art from the heart
One thing Chetan doesn’t like about the entertainment world is people follow trends a lot. If a movie of one genre gets huge success then the trend is to make similar movies that do not necessarily don’t have to do well. Making a movie with passion for the subject and the director’s involvement from within is what makes it a hit movie. Commercial viability is important but when that becomes the priority the whole purpose gets defeated. Art has to place heart first only then will success follow in the true sense.
Future will eventually flow in
Chetan does not plan too much into the future. He rather go with the flow and grab opportunities when they arise. He, however, is certain he will want to direct a movie in the future.
Message from experience
His message to aspirants is that there is no short cut here or in any profession. Hard work and dedication is what works in the end. Every famous and successful actor’s hardships are not written on his forehead but he has endured a lot to reach the top. A good actor ought to be a good reader, a good listener, travel extensively because the more the exposure the more the experience and more the experience more one can bring into one’s acting.
If not this then that – A plan B
Chetan feels if he would not have taken the plunge into the entertainment industry he would surely have chosen science and made a career there.
Hobbies and pleasures
Chetan’s hobbies include reading, playing cricket, and traveling. An actor by default gets the opportunity to travel around the world. He has traveled to over 16 different countries and many more on his bucket list to do both domestic and international. His buddies Vinit and Rahul too accompany him on these travel jaunts and in the process check out locations for their movies – work with pleasure and pleasure at work.
