Chitrangda Singh Reflects on Missed Films and Career Choices

Bollywood actor Chitrangda Singh says life teaches valuable lessons with time. Looking back at her early career, she admits she missed several major film opportunities. Those moments caused pain but also helped her grow and make better choices later.

In a recent interview Singh said she believes every actor goes through such phases. Mistakes, uncertainties and external advice often shape decisions early on, she says, adding, over time, I have learned to trust myself more.

Early Success With “Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi”

Chitrangda Singh made her acting debut in 2005 with Sudhir Mishra’s political drama Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi. The film also starred Shiney Ahuja and Kay Kay Menon. Her strong screen presence earned her immediate attention.

The film opened doors to many promising projects. Singh was offered roles in popular films like Gangster, Tanu Weds Manu, and Mangal Pandey. However, she chose not to do them.

Turning Down Films Brought Regret and Learning

Singh says rejecting good scripts hurt her deeply later. She admits some decisions were her own mistakes. At that stage, she listened too much to others and doubted her instincts.

“Actors often lack clarity. They struggle to imagine how a story will appear on screen, ” she said. According to her, these experiences taught her an important lesson — growth comes from trial and error.

ALSO READ: Kiara Advani Joins Work-Hours Debate, Says Burnout Hurts Creativity

Personal Life Led to Career Breaks

The actor also took long breaks from work due to personal reasons. Family responsibilities played a major role in those pauses. Singh says she would still make the same choice if faced with similar situations again.

She believes emotional well-being matters more than constant work. Today, she feels more complete and grounded. She says understanding herself helped her become a better artist and a happier person.

Lull Phase Helped Her Grow as an Actor

Chitrangda Singh sees the slow phases of her career as a blessing. “Life experiences improve emotional intelligence. Pain, breaks and ups and downs shape a person deeply,” the actor said.

She feels living life fully makes an actor more authentic. According to her, constant work without reflection does not always help growth. The experiences she went through added depth to her performances.

Learning From Sudhir Mishra and Honey Trehan

Singh credits filmmaker Sudhir Mishra for shaping her acting style. She worked with him in Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, Yeh Saali Zindagi, and Inkaar. Mishra taught her the power of silence on screen.

ALSO READ: Ranbir Kapoor–Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal Heads to Japan With February 2026 Theatrical Release

She says he helped her understand her strengths. Mishra often told her that subtlety works better than excess. His guidance helped her become more confident.

She also praised director Honey Trehan, with whom she worked on Raat Akeli Hai: The Bansal Murders. She says Trehan taught her patience during repeated takes. “He showed me how to stay emotionally effective even after multiple retakes,” Singh added.

Singh also mentioned learning valuable lessons while working on Gaslight with director Pavan Kirpalani.

Upcoming Projects and New Ambitions

Chitrangda Singh will next be seen in Battle of Galwan alongside Salman Khan. She is also preparing to step into film production. She plans to produce a biopic in the future.

Singh says her journey has taught her resilience. She believes life’s pauses often lead to better destinations. Today, she feels grateful for every experience that shaped her.

ALSO READ: Bollywood Reacts to Hindu Man’s Lynching in Bangladesh, Calls for Justice