Chandan K. Anand On Homebound And Kankhajura: 'You Must Embody The Soul Of...'
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Chandan K. Anand discusses his roles in Kankhajura and Homebound, collaborating with Neeraj Ghaywan and Janhvi Kapoor, and why complex characters demand soul, not technique.
Actor Chandan K. Anand, known for his compelling performances in Class, Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl, Fighter, and Ali Baba: Dastaan-E-Kabul, is making waves once again with two standout projects—SonyLiv's psychological drama Kankhajura and Dharma Productions' Homebound, which recently premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.
In Kankhajura, Anand portrays Roshan Mathew's jail-mate, a role laced with psychological complexity and restrained menace. For Anand, stepping into such roles isn't just about rehearsing lines or hitting marks—it's a deeper, more immersive process. 'It's never easy to portray complex characters — because it's not just about acting. As actors, we hone our craft for years, but to live a complex character, you must go beyond technique. You must embody the soul of that character so completely that no trace of 'acting' remains," he shares.
He calls the script his 'sacred text," saying he read it more than a hundred times before shooting began. 'I kept visualizing it, diving into the hidden meanings, symbols, subtext. Then I built a personal backstory, something imaginative yet deeply rooted. Eventually, your breath changes, your eyes shift, your energy transforms — and you stop performing. You start being. That's when the magic begins."
While details about his role in Homebound remain under wraps, Anand speaks of the experience with visible emotion and gratitude. 'At this point, I can't reveal too much about my character — but what I can say is that working on Homebound has been nothing short of a dream. To collaborate with Neeraj Ghaywan sir, whose cinema I deeply respect, and under Dharma Productions, has been a milestone for me."
He also praised his co-stars, Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khatter, and Vishal Jethwa, for bringing their own unique energies to the set. 'Sharing screen space with Janhvi, Ishaan, and Vishal — actors with such distinct energies — elevated the experience. When you're surrounded by passionate storytellers, it sharpens your own craft. I'm not chasing stardom, but I know I'm walking the path with sincerity and fire. And when people like Neeraj sir trust your performance, it feels like you're not just acting — you're arriving."
Although he wasn't able to attend Cannes physically, Anand felt the weight and wonder of being part of a film that earned such an international spotlight. 'I wasn't present at Cannes physically, but being part of a film that screened there — and was loved — is surreal in itself. It's a blessing. Knowing that international audiences are watching and feeling something we created — that's what we live for as actors."
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