Take inspiration from Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Manoj Bajpayee; Industry senior asks young actors to step out of their comfort zone | Bengali Movie News – Times of India

Acting is an art that thrives on versatility, creativity, and the ability to breathe life into diverse characters. However, many actors often find themselves confined within the boundaries of their comfort zones, limiting their growth and potential. Then there are also actors like the late Irrfan Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Manoj Bajpayee and Ayushmann Khurrana among others who embraced the challenge of stepping out of their comfort zones and showed us the remarkable benefits that await those brave enough to do so. Ritwick Chakraborty who himself is known for his out-of-the-box performances like the one in Kaushik Ganguly’s ‘Nagarkritan’ tells ETimes how important it is to unleash the creative power by stepping out of the comfort zone.

Unleashing Creative Power

By venturing beyond familiar roles and genres, actors open themselves up to a vast array of creative possibilities. According to Ritwick, stepping out of their comfort zones allows artists to tap into new emotions, experiment with different acting techniques, and explore uncharted territories within their craft. “It is through these challenges that actors can truly push their boundaries and discover hidden depths within themselves,” claims the critically acclaimed actor.

Developing Versatility

The ‘Vinci Da’ actor feels that’s how we develop versatility just like actors such as Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Manoj Bajpayee or even our very own Prosenjit Chatterjee and Saswata Chatterjee have done it. He explains, “The ability to seamlessly transition between various roles is a hallmark of exceptional acting. By breaking away from their comfort zones, actors expand their range and become more versatile performers. They gain valuable experience in embodying characters with diverse backgrounds, personalities, and motivations, honing their skills and adding depth to their repertoire. Versatility not only enhances an actor’s marketability but also keeps their performances fresh, captivating, and intriguing to audiences.”

Cultivating Emotional Intelligence

It’s also a process of cultivating emotional intelligence, that’s what Ritwick firmly believes in, “Acting demands a deep understanding of human emotions and the ability to convey them authentically. Stepping out of comfort zones provides actors with opportunities to explore a wide range of emotions and empathize with characters vastly different from themselves. This process not only helps them cultivate emotional intelligence but also fosters empathy and a greater understanding of the human condition. These invaluable insights can be harnessed to deliver powerful performances that resonate with audiences on a profound level.”

Overcoming Challenges and Growth

Comfort zones can often breed complacency, inhibiting an actor’s personal and professional growth. By embracing challenging and unfamiliar roles, actors confront their fears, push their limits, and break through barriers. “Look at Prosenjit Chatterjee in ‘Shesh Pata’, or Saswata Chatterjee in ‘Meghe Dhaka Tara’, or even Manoj Bajpayee in ‘Aligarh’. All these prove it is a process that fosters resilience, adaptability, and the ability to thrive under pressure. It equips actors with the confidence to take on diverse and demanding roles, leading to personal growth and an expanded skill set that will serve them well throughout their careers,” adds Ritwick who himself has floored us with his funny detective character Gora.

Embracing Opportunities and Breaking Stereotypes

The seasoned actor further explains that by venturing outside their comfort zones, actors have the chance to challenge stereotypes and break new ground, “It allows them to defy expectations, surprise audiences, and contribute to the evolution of their craft. By embracing opportunities to portray unconventional characters or narratives, actors can spark conversations, promote inclusivity, and inspire positive change within the industry. Stepping out of comfort zones becomes an act of artistic courage, empowering actors to leave a lasting impact.”
Stepping out of comfort zones is an essential aspect of an actor’s journey toward self-discovery and artistic growth. By embracing the unfamiliar, actors unlock their true potential, nurturing creativity, versatility, emotional intelligence, and resilience. They become catalysts for change, pushing the boundaries of their craft, and captivating audiences with performances that resonate deeply. In fact, these many established actors are trying their luck with out-of-the-box characters. After all, the biggest challenge right now in Indian cinema is to churn out stories that can engage and entertain today’s audience intelligently. Outshining the convention and embracing the new is the latest trend. So, let us celebrate those actors who dare to step outside their comfort zones, for they are the ones who continue to elevate the art of acting to new heights.