From Design School to Silver Screen: Drishika Chander's Unconventional Acting Journey
Drishika Chander, a graduate of the prestigious Parsons School of Design in New York, has carved a unique path into the world of cinema. The daughter of Nandi Award-winning costume designer Deepa Chander, she grew up immersed in film culture but approached acting through a gradual, organic process rather than immediate immersion.
Academic Discipline Meets Artistic Expression
Before embracing acting full-time, Drishika prioritized her education, believing that academic rigor provided essential foundations for her artistic career. "Academics taught me discipline and patience, and acting requires the same qualities," she explains. Her transition from theater to screen happened naturally, without calculated career planning, beginning with stage performances before moving to film projects.
Breakthrough with Record-Breaking Short Film
The turning point in Drishika's career came in 2020 with the Telugu short film Manasanamaha, which achieved both critical acclaim and a Guinness World Record. "That project changed everything for me," she recalls. "My performance earned me over forty international Best Actress awards. It gave me confidence and made me realize the profound impact storytelling can have on audiences worldwide."
Following this breakthrough, she has appeared in multiple Telugu films including Bucchi Naidu Kandriga and A Beautiful Girl, along with Hindi projects like Hey Kameeni. Throughout her screen work, she maintains her connection to theater, recently performing in Evam Indrajit. "Theatre teaches you to stay present and honest in every performance," she emphasizes.
Expanding Linguistic and Cinematic Horizons
Having established herself in Telugu and Hindi cinema, Drishika is now venturing into Malayalam films. Fluent in multiple languages, she actively seeks diverse storytelling opportunities across different film industries. "I don't want to limit myself to any single language or region," she states. "For me, every project begins with the story—if I connect with it emotionally and intellectually, everything else naturally follows."
Upcoming Challenge in Mystery Thriller
Her upcoming Telugu film Suyodhana, directed by YS Madav Reddy, presents a new acting challenge. This mystery thriller features Drishika alongside Priyadarshi in an emotionally complex role. "It's not a loud, expressive character," she describes. "Much of what she experiences is internal, which made it particularly challenging. You have to convey deep emotions and thoughts without excessive dialogue or overt expression."
She adds that this role pushed her beyond her comfort zone, requiring greater trust in her instincts as a performer. The film represents another step in her evolving career, demonstrating her commitment to varied, performance-driven projects across different cinematic landscapes.
