# Overcoming Hurdles | SANDEEP BHARDWAJ | TEDxSTS Dwarka Youth

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bEg7oFyUXo
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/_bEg7oFyUXo
Generated: 2025-12-12T20:34:52.307+00:00

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## Quick Overview

Sandeep Bhardwaj frames hurdles as subjective perceptions, illustrating this through his journey from rural Haryana, through various jobs and artistic pursuits like painting and theatre, to ultimately securing the role of Veerappan by choosing not to perceive the rejection for a smaller film role as a significant obstacle, emphasizing that competition should always be directed inward against one's own limitations.

**Key Points:**
- Bhardwaj asserts that hurdles only exist if one acknowledges them, stating, "You observe your breath for 1 minute... if you don't feel it, then there is no hurdle."
- His career path shifted from early life in Haryana, involving physical games and watching movies, to working at Pizza Hut for two years after moving to Delhi post-12th grade.
- He started theatre while studying painting at the College of Art in Agra, leading to performing in 80-90 shows of 'Mahim Junction' across international locations like Dubai, Malaysia, and London, redirecting his career toward acting from painting.
- Bhardwaj experienced significant disappointment when he lost a role he heavily desired, but quickly moved past it, noting, "It was only for a short time... That's why I never take hurdles very seriously."
- His selection for the role of Veerappan began immediately after losing the previous role, and he committed deeply by stopping wearing shoes the day he was selected, learning that Veerappan did not wear them.
- To prepare for Veerappan, he studied articles, including '14 Days with the Bandit', and created the character's body language based on only five or six seconds of found walking footage on YouTube.
- He concludes that true competition lies within oneself, quoting an old saying that in the current Kali Yuga, the fight between 'gods and demons' is inside the individual: "Your competition is with yourself."

**Context:** Sandeep Bhardwaj presents his personal narrative at a TEDx event, focusing on overcoming perceived obstacles, which he introduces by contrasting the idea of external hurdles with internal perception, using his own diverse career trajectory as evidence. His background includes growing up in Haryana, developing interests in sports and film, unsuccessfully navigating initial job searches after moving to Delhi, pursuing painting, and eventually finding success in stage acting before landing a major film role.

## Detailed Analysis

Sandeep Bhardwaj argues that hurdles are entirely dependent on individual mindset; if one chooses not to acknowledge an obstacle, it ceases to exist, demonstrated by the involuntary act of breathing which becomes a burden only when consciously observed. He recounted his journey beginning in Haryana, where he developed physical resilience, leading him to Delhi after 12th grade where he worked at Pizza Hut before realizing the need for further education, eventually enrolling in painting at the College of Art in Agra while simultaneously beginning theatre. This theatre work led to international performances in 'Mahim Junction', shifting his focus entirely from painting to acting. A crucial turning point involved losing a highly anticipated role, yet he immediately dismissed this setback as minor, which paved the way for him to be considered for the role of Veerappan. For the Veerappan role, he immersed himself completely, adopting the character's lifestyle, such as refusing to wear shoes, and meticulously studying available material to recreate his body language, even when director Ram Gopal Varma suggested he simply play a generic villain. Bhardwaj stresses that examining Veerappan's awareness—like his daily 50km treks and solitary sleeping habits—offers valuable lessons for students about competition being strictly internal, comparing the struggle to the Kali Yuga where the fight between good and evil resides within the self, asserting that ignoring problems diminishes their power over you.

### The Nature of Hurdles

- Hurdles are subjective perceptions that disappear when ignored
- Breathing serves as an example of an involuntary task becoming a perceived hurdle when focused upon
- Competition is internal: "Your competition is with yourself."

### Career Transition and Artistic Development

- Journey started in Haryana, moved to Delhi post-12th grade and worked at Pizza Hut for two years
- Studied painting in Agra while starting theatre
- Performed 80-90 shows of 'Mahim Junction' globally, shifting career from painting to acting

### The Veerappan Preparation

- Lost a desired role but did not dwell on it, leading directly to the Veerappan opportunity
- Immediately stopped wearing shoes upon selection, learning Veerappan's habit
- Created body language from minimal footage and research like the book '14 Days with Bandit'

### Lessons on Resilience

- Shooting for Veerappan involved extreme conditions like snakes and leeches, but he remained unfazed due to prior experience in rivers and canals
- Problems only reach you to the extent you allow them
- Focus on maintaining one's own vitality and making things easier, rather than allowing problems to dominate.