“I Never Wanted to Be an Actor”: Saurabh Sachdeva on His Unlikely Acting Journey, Dyslexia & the Importance of Coaching at IFP Season 16
With a slate of performances that continues to showcase his range, Saurabh Sachdeva is now gearing up for his next big screen outing in the much-awaited Ramayana. At IFP Season 16, however, the actor and acting coach turned the spotlight on the craft behind the performances, leading a masterclass titled ‘How Not to Audition’. Drawing from a journey that began almost by chance, Sachdeva spoke candidly about living with dyslexia, confronting deeply personal experiences, the lessons that have shaped his approach to acting, and much more.
Revealing that acting was never something he had set out to pursue, he shared, “So I never wanted to be an actor. That was not my dream to be an actor. Vo jo bachpan se logo ko keeda kata hota hai, waisa kuch bhi nahi tha mujhe. Main to bahut kam TV bhi dekhta tha. My father used to watch a lot of TV but main aur meri mummy to bahut kam TV dekhte the. And it happened by chance and thank God it happened. There is a funny story behind it. I was in love with a woman and she was leaving, so I thought jaldi se famous banne ka ek hi tareeka hai. I think… mere dost ne bola tu model ban ja, maine kaha theek hai. And then I walked on the ramp and I felt very nervous. And I felt very conscious. And then he only suggested me tu actor ban ja.”
Speaking about how his time with acting coach Barry John helped him discover a way to communicate what he could not easily put into words. “I am dyslexic, and I couldn’t express myself in my school. And I couldn’t even talk to one person. And working with him immediately showed me that I can express myself. Jo mere andar bahut kuch chal raha hai, usko main express kar sakta hoon,” he shared.
Sachdeva also spoke about the importance of continued coaching, revealing that the belief “I am not enough” had held him back even after years of acting, theatre, and teaching. Working through that mindset helped him take on a lead role in a film and a Hollywood project this year. Citing a conversation with Anushka Sharma about how Virat Kohli continues to work with a coach despite his achievements, he reinforced his belief that growth requires continued guidance. “I believe great performers should always have coaches.”
From a 50-hour filmmaking challenge that began in 2011 to a multidisciplinary creative platform bringing creators from across the world together, IFP brings the 16th season with the same idea at its heart: make something, put it out into the world, and see where it takes you.
Building on 15 glorious editions, IFP Season 16 continues to be a meeting ground for the people making, shaping, and reimagining culture across creative disciplines!