The joy of a 30 years acting career
Growing up, my parents wanted me to focus on my studies and pursue a career as an engineering graduate. I fulfilled their wishes, completing my engineering degree, but my heart was elsewhere. Alongside my studies in Mumbai, I pursued theatre. In 1984, I began my theatre journey part-time, but my parents disapproved. So, I moved to Delhi and took a job as a biomedical engineer, though the pull of acting never left me.
Fate intervened one day when my friend Anurag Kashyap informed me about a casting call for the TV serial Shanti. I seized the opportunity, called the production team, and managed to land a role in 1994. This marked the true beginning of my acting career, and my performance in Shanti earned me several awards. That was the turning point. Over the past 30 years, I’ve worked in over 150 serials, carving out a place as a versatile actor in the industry.
What excites me most is the joy of living a hundred different lives through acting. It’s a constant source of excitement, and it's the reason I’m in this profession. I’ve always enjoyed embodying different characters.
Though I regret that I was never able to convince my parents of my potential, I hope that, in some way, my accomplishments have made them proud, even if they aren’t here to witness them.
A significant moment in my career was when I shaved my head. People saw me as the next Amrish Puri, and my career took on a new dimension, with me playing intense lover or father roles. If a role required hair, I’d simply wear a wig.
Today, with the rise of social media, I see endless opportunities for talented individuals. Currently, I’m writing series and working with film productions. Alongside acting, I’ve been a visiting faculty member in media and entertainment at several universities for over a decade. My only advice to newcomers is,Whatever you do, do it with passion and dedication.