For Ujjawal Sharma, acting has never been about looking flawless on screen. Instead, he believes a performer’s true success lies in their ability to make the audience feel something real.
Having made his television debut as Rajkumar Nakul in the popular mythological series RadhaKrishn and later appearing in the web series Aadha Ishq, Ujjawal recently took centre stage as the male lead, Kabir, in Dangal TV’s Saajan Ghar. Looking back at his trajectory, he credits the love from his viewers as his biggest daily inspiration.
Reflecting on the fan interactions that have left a lasting impact, Ujjawal shares that the most meaningful messages are those where viewers see reflections of their own lives in his roles. “I’ve received many lovely messages, but the ones that stay with me are when people say a character made them feel something personally,” Ujjawal says. “Many viewers told me they connected with Kabir and that certain situations in the show reminded them of their own lives. When someone tells you your work touched them emotionally, that’s when you realise your performance has reached beyond the screen.”
He also admits that viewers often find layers in his performances that surprise him. “There have been times when fans pointed out a subtle emotion or habit in my character. Initially, I’d think, ‘I never looked at it that way.’ But every person interprets a character through their own lens. Once a role reaches the audience, it no longer belongs only to the actor.”
While audiences see the finished, seamless product on screen, Ujjawal highlights that the process behind it is filled with exhaustion and uncertainty. People don’t always realise how unpredictable an actor’s life can be,” he explains. “There are days when you’ve barely slept after long hours on set, yet you still have to deliver with full energy. Rejections are an inherent part of this profession—you can give your absolute best audition and still not get selected. It’s emotionally tough, but if you truly love acting, you keep coming back.”
Looking ahead, Ujjawal’s goal for how he is remembered remains simple and heartfelt. “I want people to know that I genuinely cared about every character I played. I never wanted to just look good; I wanted to bring something authentic to every role. If years from now people say, ‘He made me feel something,’ that would be the highest compliment I could ever earn.”
