Manish Chaudhari: From Delhi Dreamer to Mumbai’s Quintessential Villain
New Delhi, Sep 30 (PTI) — Three decades ago, a young Manish Chaudhari took the bold step of leaving Delhi for Mumbai, hoping to make a mark in the film industry. Today, at 56, he personifies the quintessential urban villain seen in films and OTT platforms, with his iconic cigar and furrowed brow.
Chaudhari's journey began with roles like the domineering boss in "Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year", the gritty newspaper editor in "Bombay Velvet", a controlling relative in "Aap Jaisa Koi", and a formidable gangster in "Aarya". His latest portrayal, as the authoritative movie mogul Freddy Sodawala in "The Ba***ds of Bollywood", has captivated audiences and brought him immense satisfaction.
The actor candidly shares the challenges of his early years in the industry. “The first 15 years in the industry were very hard. It’s a difficult business if you don’t know anybody when you come here,” Chaudhari recounts. However, his breakthrough with "Rocket Singh" transformed his career, allowing him to pursue his passion full-time and finally be recognized by audiences.
Growing up watching icons like Clint Eastwood and Bruce Willis, Chaudhari was inspired early on. He hails from Delhi's Kirori Mal College and St Paul's School in Darjeeling. “I was just a kid who walked out of Delhi and walked into Bombay. I didn’t know anybody in the business,” he reflects, appreciating the privilege of following his dream.
Freddy Sodawala's character has taken social media by storm, spawning memes and creative fan edits. “It’s nice to have tickled people’s imagination,” Chaudhari remarks, relishing the fan-made reels that blend scenes from "The Ba***ds of Bollywood" and "Rocket Singh".
Chaudhari attributes Freddy's character success to director Aryan Khan and co-writers Bilal Siddiqi and Manav Chauhan. He mentions, “Freddy is an amalgamation of all kinds of people I’ve met in the industry.” He praises Aryan Khan, son of Shah Rukh Khan, for his clarity of vision despite his young age.
The actor's affinity for cigars in his roles began with Anurag Kashyap's "Bombay Velvet" and cemented in "Aarya" as a symbol of power, courtesy of creator Ram Madhvani’s investment in high-quality props. “In the show, the cigar became a symbol of power,” Chaudhari notes.
Following "Aarya", his cigar-smoking style intrigued director Praveen Sattaru for "The Ghost". Similarly, Aryan Khan insisted on incorporating that image for "The Ba***ds of Bollywood".
Chaudhari hopes his newfound popularity will draw attention to his other nuanced performances, such as in "Bombay Begums", where he played a complex character dealing with sensitive themes.
Looking ahead, Chaudhari is collaborating once again with director Vivek Soni on a new Dharma film, as well as Imtiaz Ali's forthcoming project. “I have been lucky to have been supported fantastically by some wonderful writing and great directors,” he concludes, grateful for how successful roles have renewed interest in his past work.
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