Actor Gunjan Utreja believes people present their different sides to different people.
He said, “We present different sides of ourselves to different people based on the context and the nature of our relationship with them.”
“And there is a side of us that we let out when no one is watching. This is often our most authentic self, free from societal expectations and judgments. In my case, barring a few cases, I have been the same with everyone,” he added.
Gunjan describes himself as a passionate, versatile, resilient, imaginative, and empathetic individual, and shared that he never struggled to say who he is. He said, “I have been very sure of who I am. I have been blessed with parents, siblings, wife, and mentors who have been guiding me to understand who I am and have been instrumental in keeping me in check.”
Today there is a lot of talk about validation, and the actor said that as humans, we all seek validation, but not from everyone. He added, “It can motivate me and boost my confidence, but relying too much on external validation can also lead to self-doubt and anxiety. It’s important to find a balance and cultivate self-validation as well.”
Gunjan also shared that staying in our comfort zones can limit our growth and opportunities. “Stepping out of them is essential for personal and professional development. No one builds anything by sleeping in their comfort zone,” he said.
How has moving out of your comfort zone helped you? “Moving from Chandigarh to Mumbai to pursue my dream of entertaining people was a significant step out of my comfort zone. It was challenging and intimidating, but it opened up a world of opportunities, helped me grow as an actor, and made me a more resilient and adaptable human. Had I been sitting in my comfort zone my movie wouldn’t have made it to the international film festivals. "
Gunjan’s short film Kahwa recently was screened in Cannes and is also being showcased at the Rome International Film Festival.
