Waiting around for the phone to ring has never been Ankit Siwach’s style. Fresh off his appearance in Farhan Akhtar’s 120 Bahadur and a well-received turn in Heartbeats, the actor is taking absolute control of his creative destiny. Instead of waiting for directors to hand him dream roles, he is building his own playground. Siwach has officially turned producer, floating his own banner, Aquatur Studios, and pouring his life’s savings into an ambitious passion project that kicks off its first schedule on the ghats of Benaras.
This is not just another vanity production. Siwach has completely reinvented himself for the part, shedding a staggering 20 kilograms to look the character. Opening up about why he chose to back himself financially and artistically, Ankit says, “I have always believed in the kind of stories I want to tell and the kind of characters I want to explore as an actor, And in the whole bandwagon of the industry trying to create content, We are making a cinema, A film and not just a mere project. I eventually felt that instead of depending entirely on the industry to create those opportunities, I should take the responsibility of creating them myself. That thought gave birth to this film and Aquatur Studios. It is my way of taking ownership of my journey and building something that reflects my creative sensibilities. So whatever I have learnt via observing and being on the set for the past 15-20 years, I feel I am pouring it into this film”
Stepping behind the camera is familiar territory for him. Since 2019, he has produced the travel show Safarnama along with commercial ads and music videos, having also assisted directors in his early Mumbai days. But putting your own hard-earned money on the line for a feature film takes serious guts.
Acknowledging the stakes, he adds, “I have put everything into this film. It is not just an investment of money; it is an investment of years of hard work, belief, sacrifice and everything I have learnt along the way. Of course, there is a certain amount of risk involved, but I would rather take that risk for a story I genuinely believe in than spend my life waiting for the right opportunity to come my way. I am not saying this because I expect anything to be handed to me. I simply want a fair opportunity to showcase what I am capable of, both as an actor and as a filmmaker. I want people to see my work, understand my vision and give me a fair chance to prove myself. Ultimately, I hope the film speaks for itself.”
With a major villainous turn in Ritesh Shah’s upcoming JioHotstar thriller Dhaai Chaal also on the horizon, Ankit is firing on all cylinders. He is backing his craft with conviction, hard cash, and pure sweat.
Also Read: “We Want People to Feel What The Brave Hearts Lived in 1962”: Ankit Siwach on 120 Bahadur and More
