Chandan Samal is a dynamic and versatile actor based in Mumbai, India, with a strong foundation in both theatre and film. His recent work spans a diverse range of projects, from feature films to digital content, showcasing his ability to embody complex and intense characters.
He recently wrapped filming for Drown, a short feature film where he plays Rishabh, a drummer and martial artist. To authentically portray this strong, silent character, Chandan undertook rigorous training in both drumming and martial arts. Additionally, he starred as the lead antagonist in The Gangster Diaries, a feature film slated for release soon. In this role, he played a drug-addicted gangster entangled in a toxic romance, with a gripping narrative that pits him against a determined police officer. The role demanded intense action sequences, professional action/weapon-handling preparation, and a deep exploration of addiction’s psychological effects.
Beyond traditional cinema, Chandan has expanded into screen and brand storytelling, portraying the primary character in a TV commercial for Policybazaar. He also featured as the primary character in a vertical-format ad campaign for Good Flipping Burger, adding to his experience in fast-paced, mobile-first storytelling. He further ventured into vertical-format digital storytelling with an episodic social media series produced by Viral Fission and released on ListenTBH, where he played Rehan, a secondary but pivotal character-gaining firsthand experience in this emerging format.
His theatre work reflects both range and agility. Alongside lead roles in stage adaptations of Chicago, West Side Story, ART, and 12 Angry Jurors, he headlined the play Bouncers, a physically demanding comedy known for rapid character switching-where Chandan performs quick changes between a girl, a boy, and a bouncer as the primary actor.
His acting journey is underpinned by a strong educational background, holding diplomas in Method Acting from Jeff Goldberg Studio and Theatre Acting from Adishakti Laboratory for Theatre Arts Research. He further refined his craft in film acting at Barry John’s Acting Studio and has worked on numerous professional film sets in various capacities. Chandan made his debut as a primary actor in Matter, a film produced by London Film School and Cloudy Hill Films Ltd., set for release in 2025.
In addition to acting, he is proficient in Bollywood dancing, freestyle, jazz, and Bachata. His multilingual fluency in Hindi, English, French, and Oriya further enhances his ability to bring diverse characters to life. With an ever-expanding portfolio across film, theatre, commercials, and digital content, Chandan continues to push creative boundaries and immerse himself in compelling narratives.
