Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Shashwat Gupta. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Shashwat, thanks for joining us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?
I can say with a hard, proud yes: I am happier as an artist. Acting isn’t just something I do it’s how I make sense of the world and how I feel most alive. Of course the idea of a steady job sometimes tempts me. Who wouldn’t like the security of a regular paycheck, clearly defined progress, and the reassurance that if you show up and do the work, results follow? That security is seductive, especially on hard days.
The last time the thought felt urgent was after I landed what felt like a major breakthrough: a worldwide Google Chromebook commercial. I flew from LA to New York, went through fittings, and got my call sheet I was on top of the world. Then, out of nowhere, an email arrived from casting: “you’ve been taken off this project due to a creative change.” It felt like the rug was pulled. I was devastated I cried, I replayed everything in my head, and I asked myself whether all the pain and rejection were worth it.
After a few days of raw disappointment I tried a different question: what if this isn’t a verdict on my talent, but part of the process? If I could get selected for such a huge opportunity once, that meant I had the skill and presence to do it again. Rather than seeing myself as unlucky or broken, I decided to see this as training resilience training. That idea changed everything. I learned to carry the grief and still keep moving toward auditions, classes, and the work I love. That day when I chose to keep going felt like a small but decisive step toward becoming the person and performer I want to be.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Hello to all my readers, my name is Shashwat Gupta. I am an actor, model, and fitness enthusiast, but above all I am someone who believes in discipline, dedication, and authenticity. Alongside my creative work, I also try to make people more aware of the importance of health and self-care, because I’ve seen how much that discipline has shaped my own journey.
I got into acting at the age of 16, almost by accident. My first school theatre play changed my life I was cast (or let’s say forced) to play a female character, complete with wig, lipstick, dress, and heels. At first it felt funny, but by the end of that play I realized something profound: this was my world, this was my calling. It was like a 180-degree shift in how I saw myself and my future. From that moment on, I knew I wanted to be an actor not just any actor, but one who is strong, dedicated, authentic, and powerful on screen.
To make that dream real, I made a big leap. I moved to Mumbai, the heart of Bollywood, and began taking acting seriously. I transformed my lifestyle: no more careless eating, no more shortcuts. I treated my body as my temple training hard, staying consistent with my diet, and building the kind of presence I wanted to bring to the screen. But I also knew that muscles alone don’t make an actor. So, I trained in the craft itself and got the opportunity to study at The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute, where I learned what true acting really means how to live truthfully under imaginary circumstances, and what it takes to bring depth and honesty to a character.
I built my routine around this dream: waking up at 6 a.m. for gym, then spending 6–7 hours in acting classes, then auditions, homework, and meal prep to keep myself sharp and disciplined. It was not easy, and yes, I sacrificed the comfort of a “normal” life, but I never wanted normal. I wanted extraordinary.
What sets me apart is this blend of physical discipline, creative passion, and a never-quit mindset. I’m not just an actor chasing fame; I’m an artist who believes in putting in the work, who respects the craft deeply, and who wants to inspire others whether it’s through my performances, my fitness journey, or simply my story of persistence.
What I’m most proud of is that I didn’t let fear or comfort stop me. I left my country, my safety net, and my routines behind because I believed in my dream. And I still believe that life has struggles, but the happiness you get after enduring that pain is always worth it.
If there’s one thing I’d like potential clients, fans, and followers to know, it’s this: I am not a quitter, I am a believer. My work, my body, my performances everything I do is built on that belief. My brand is about resilience, transformation, and authenticity. And if my journey can inspire even one person to chase their dream or take better care of themselves, then I know I’m on the right path.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an actor is the chance to give back what society has given me but in my own way. I come from a place where people are often expected to become engineers or doctors, no matter what their real passions are. Many young people have dreams to act, to sing, to create but they are forced to set those dreams aside to live the life society wants for them.
I was fortunate. I had a supportive family who encouraged me to pursue my dream of becoming an actor, but I know many others from my town aren’t that lucky. Their parents push them toward government jobs or “safe” careers, not realizing how much potential and creativity they’re holding back.
That’s why, for me, success isn’t just about fame or recognition. If I can reach the level where I become a superstar, then I’ll have the power to inspire and help those people who feel trapped to show them that it’s possible to break free and build a life around what you truly love. That, for me, would be the most rewarding aspect of being an actor.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
I think one thing non-creatives often struggle to understand is just how demanding the life of an actor really is. It’s not just about showing up and saying lines in front of a camera. We spend hours memorizing scripts word for word until they’re second nature, and we put our bodies through intense discipline to maintain a role. For example, Brad Pitt had to keep his body at 9% body fat for months while filming F1 that means eating the same strict diet every single day, with no breaks. I’ve lived that discipline too, and it’s far from glamorous.
But beyond the physical, the real challenge is authenticity making those lines come alive so the audience feels the truth in them. That’s something people rarely see from the outside.
Of course, every job has its struggles, and I respect that. But if we want to understand each other better, we have to step into someone else’s shoes and see life through their perspective. That’s where empathy begins, and that’s how we grow not just as creatives, but as human beings..
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