Bridgerton’s Charithra Chandran: ‘I’m a proud Indian woman, but I’m also more than that’

The breakthrough I am yet to have with contentment: ‘I constantly feel like I’m a failure’

“I would really love a breakthrough in this feeling of contentment. I really hope I achieve it. Some people I talk to, who are much older and much more experienced, are like, ‘You may never get it, but I really hope you do.’ I remember when I booked Bridgerton – and I’m being really honest right now – I loved filming, I loved it coming out, I’m so proud of the show, but in terms of feeling fulfilled and feeling proud of myself, it probably lasted about an hour. Immediately, I was like, OK. So, Bridgerton. We film until this day. I need to secure my next job.’ I am the same about everything. Truthfully, I just booked a movie – I literally found out a couple of days – and immediately, I was like, OK, this movie shoots until then. What am I doing after that?’

I would love to be able to just sit, enjoy my life, feel content and feel really grateful for everything I had, instead of trying to seek more, trying to achieve more and reach a higher goal. But it’s a difficult balance between finding contentment and still staying ambitious. I definitely veer too much towards staying ambitious and not being happy with the life that I have.

My agents are banging their heads against a wall saying, ‘Charithra, enjoy it. You’re doing so well.’ Can I be really honest? Even when they told me, ‘GLAMOUR really wants to give you the Samsung Rising Star Award for breakthrough performers,’ I was like, ‘Why? I haven’t broken through anything! There are so many more people that are so much more successful, who’ve achieved so much more than I have. I don’t think I deserve this.’ And they were like, ‘Charithra, can you please just be a normal human being for once in your life?’ I just didn’t feel worthy of it.

I constantly feel like I’m a failure. I think even accepting the award and being like, ‘Do you know what? I have had a good year,’ and even accepting that has been a journey. It’s learning to be able to pat yourself on the back and go, ‘Wow. You’ve come so far.’ It’s about congratulating yourself and being proud of how far you’ve come, but also realising that there’s still a way to go, and it’s finding that balance. That is the biggest breakthrough that I dream of.

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