Shantanu Maheshwari Looks At 'Youth Icon' Title As Advantage: Glad To Be Still Relevant | Exclusive

Shantanu

Maheshwari has redefined the young-adult genre in the Indian entertainment space for years. After becoming a household name with Dil Dosti Dance, he explored a variety of roles before returning to the youth space with Campus Beats on Amazon MX Player. The franchise, in its sixth season, takes many new twists. In an exclusive interview with Zoom, Shantanu spoke about whether the title of ‘youth icon’ comes as a potential obstacle in his career. The Campus Beats Returns actor shared that he makes sure not to be stereotyped in one genre.

Shantanu Maheshwari talks about youth genre

Shantanu told Zoom, “It's nice to hear that people feel I am the youth icon. In terms of being stereotyped for the characters I am playing, I am making sure to choose roles that I have never done before. I have never played a character like Ishaan before. I keep challenging myself with the roles I pick. It is an actor’s job to make every character different.”

He further shared, “Speaking of only being associated with the youth genre, I think everyone wants to do that because youth in general is evolving every two to three years. Their mindset keeps changing, and I am glad to be still relevant in this particular genre. I think everyone feels they want to get back into the college and high school space. I have been given the opportunity to keep doing that and entertain the youth, who are the majority of our demographics. I completely enjoy that. I think young and feel young; maybe that’s the reason I associate with the genre and its storytelling the most.”He concluded by saying, “I don’t look at it as a hindrance. I take it as a positive sign and look at it as an advantage. I can definitely do subjects that require me to play mature roles, but I am currently happy in this space and feel lucky to be doing this.”

About Campus Beats Returns

Campus Beats Returns is led by Shantanu, Shruti Sinha, Sahaj Singh Chahal, Dipankana Das, and Adnan Ahmed, amongst others, with new additions Paras Kalnawat, Chandni Sharma, and Suvansh Dhar joining the franchise in pivotal roles.The franchise commenced in 2023 as a show set in the elite University of Movement and Dance (MAD), where fierce rivalries, friendships, romance, and secrets collide. The story follows Netra, a determined young woman who joins the prestigious dance campus under a hidden identity to investigate the mysterious death of her father, a police constable. As she enters the highly competitive world of MAD, she becomes caught between two student factions, privileged OGs and the rebellious BGs, while also discovering her own passion and talent for dance.