Actors on Acting

In an era where the boundaries between mediums are increasingly fluid, today’s actors are redefining what it means to build a career across theater, film, and television. For performers navigating this evolving landscape, the craft demands not only emotional depth, but technical agility—an ability to shift scale, tone, and presence from the intimacy of the camera to the expansiveness of the stage.

In this edition of Actors on Acting, Sonal Shah, Pej Vahdat, Sunikrish Balakrishnan, and Priyanka Shetty come together for a candid and insightful conversation about their journeys across mediums—and the artistry required to thrive within each.

Drawing from rich backgrounds in theater, independent film, and television, the actors explore how foundational stage training informs their on-screen performances, grounding them in discipline, presence, and character development. At the same time, we reflect on the nuanced adjustments required for film and television.

The conversation also delves into the realities of transitioning between mediums: the challenges of being “typecast” within one space, the opportunities presented by streaming platforms, and the increasing demand for globally resonant, culturally specific storytelling. For these artists, the shift is not just technical—it is deeply personal, requiring constant reinvention and a commitment to authenticity.