Mark Bennington: Roles that are very different from my external rhythms, are the hardest - Exclusive

‘Saas, Bahu Aur Flamingo’ actor Mark Bennington has established himself as a formidable presence in the world of entertainment, earning accolades for his outstanding performances and dedication to his craft. In a recent interaction with ETimes, the actor gave insight on what kind of roles challenge him, when he first felt he had left an impression with his work, and much more.
Here are the excerpts from the interview:
Can you describe the most challenging role you've taken on so far, and how did you navigate the complexities of that character?
“I find the roles that are very different from my personality or my external rhythms, are the hardest. For instance, the roles that require me to be very still and stoic. By nature, I am more expressive, if not animated. so for example with ‘Donze’ in ‘Saas, Bahu Aur Flamingo’ although I had to learn a specific French accent, his personality was quite warm, focused, and dramatic, like mine.”
What qualities do you look for in a co-star that make for a successful partnership, and can you share a memorable experience from working with someone who brought out the best in your performance?
“Well, the truth is unless you are the mega-star of the project you don't get to choose. So, for example, when I was cast in ‘Bombay Begums’ it was just good luck that Shahana and I had chemistry and were tacitly on the same page with the given circumstances of the characters. Generally speaking, I think if you are fairly relaxed around your co-actor as a person and open-minded, it will look like good chemistry on screen.”
How do your outside passions and experiences influence your acting and the characters you choose to portray?
“Outside of acting, I have a long history of photography (I was a fairly successful portrait photographer for about 15 years in LA & NYC), playing drums in various bands and writing for magazines and of course my book ‘Living the Dream: The Life of the 'Bollywood' Actor’. I have also had stints of teaching both acting and photography, and would always tell all my students, that the more curious and interesting a person you are- the more interesting an actor or photographer you will be. Basically, all your life experiences influence your choices.”

Can you recall a specific moment or encounter with a fan where you realized the significant influence your work has had on others?
“Right after ‘Saas, Bahu aur Flamingo’ came out I was in a mall in Pune and there were these two young college students who came up to me telling me 'how moved they were when "Donze" died, that they were in tears!' It was such an honest and beautiful encounter and made me realize the deeper significance of that role and how it genuinely broke the mold of the stereotypical 'white guy'.”
What are some trends or changes in the industry that you find particularly exciting or challenging, and how do you adapt to stay relevant in this dynamic field?
“For the last few years, I have wanted to move over to a more creative position behind the camera, both writing and directing, which is why I've created a web series that is gaining a lot of interest within the industry. So, as I always say- let's see what happens!”