Known for his work across television and films, Sharad Kelkar is also a familiar name in the voiceover and dubbing space. But few know that there was a time when speech itself was a challenge for the actor. In a candid reflection, Sharad opens up about living with a stammer and the conscious effort it took to overcome it when he started out as an actor.

He says, “The turning point came when I realized I had no option. If I didn’t work on my speech, I wouldn’t have been able to act. That intent to do whatever it takes becomes extremely important.”

He further shares, “It’s important to know why you have this issue. For some, it could be medical or related to the tongue, which can be treated by doctors. It took me almost eight months to realize that, before fixing anything, I had to understand the cause. During that phase, I tried several things, changing my speed, slowing down, speaking faster, and observing people who spoke well. That’s when I realised my breathing pattern was wrong.”

Once he identified the issue, improvement followed gradually through conscious effort and discipline. Sharad, who is currently seen in the TV show Tumm Se Tumm Tak and was recently part of the web series Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web, says, “I started controlling my breathing and slowly it improved. Many people who stammer can sing well because singing follows a rhythm and a specific breathing pattern. Pranayama helped me a lot. If it’s medical, you should consult a doctor. With the right guidance, it is manageable.”

Sharad also recalls a defining moment from the sets of the TV show Sinndoor Tere Naam Ka, where he was working with Keerti Gaekwad, now his wife. “On the first day, Keerti jokingly told her hairdresser about me, ‘It will take him a long time to get the scenes right.’ It didn’t hurt me, but it lit a fire inside me. Because I was a stammerer, confidence was always a battle. From that day, I started working seriously on myself and that process still continues,” he concludes.