From 3,000 Auditions to the Big Screen

I’ve always wanted to be an actor, for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I would often find myself in front of the mirror, pretending to be a hero in one of the Bollywood movies I grew up watching. But my parents were practical, always urging me to complete my education before chasing my dreams. So, after finishing my B.Tech, I packed my bags and moved to Bombay in 2017 to give acting a shot. And boy, was it a journey!

Born and raised in Delhi, I’ve always considered myself a proud Delhi boy. My parents hail from Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, and their values have always kept me grounded. When I arrived in Bombay, I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but the passion I had for acting kept me going. My first few years in the industry were far from glamorous. I started as a junior artist in a few projects, and like most struggling actors, I faced my fair share of hardships.

To say the journey was tough would be an understatement. I’ve given over 3,000 auditions — yes, you read that right. 3,000!, I would dress up, prepare for a role, and leave for an audition with hope. Many of these auditions ended in rejection, but for me, it wasn’t failure; it was part of the process, part of the journey. Every audition, every rejection, taught me something new and brought me a step closer to where I am today.

While those early days were difficult, they were also filled with invaluable learning experiences. I decided to sharpen my acting skills by doing theatre, and I had the incredible opportunity to work with theatre giants like Rajat Kapoor and Vinay Pathak. This phase of my career truly helped me find my footing as an actor, and I remain grateful for every role I played, big or small.

My breakthrough came when I got to feature in a Hide & Seek biscuit commercial. Soon after, I was cast in the music video for Vaaste with Dhwani Bhanushali, which was a major milestone for me. I went on to do several TV commercials, including one where I played Alia Bhatt’s boyfriend. I also appeared as the boyfriend in two commercials with Janhvi Kapoor, and I’ve had the chance to work with Jacqueline Fernandez and Dhwani Bhanushali as well. Most recently, I did a commercial with Rakul Preet.

The journey hasn’t been easy, and there’s still so much more I want to do, but I feel blessed to have worked with so many talented actors so far. It’s taken persistence, hard work, and a lot of patience to reach this point, but I’m still just getting started.

Right now, I’m excited about my upcoming film, ‘Ayushmati Geeta Matric Pass’. It’s a romantic comedy with a powerful social message. I play a character named Kundan, who is very close to my heart. Kundan is a positive, supportive figure who believes in feminism and women’s empowerment. His journey in the film is about how he fights societal norms to promote women’s education in rural areas. It’s a message that’s not just important to me as an actor but as a person who believes in gender equality.

The film is directed by Pradip Khairwar, someone I’ve been in touch with for years. He directed my first-ever music video about five years ago, and since then, we’ve remained in contact. I would often send him my work for feedback, and when he planned this film, he gave me a narration. It was an instant yes from me.

In the movie, my character is in love with a girl who is his equal partner in every sense. The film showcases their relationship as husband and wife, built on the foundations of mutual respect and the belief that men and women can and should work together. The story’s core is about promoting women's education and empowerment in rural areas, a theme that deeply resonates with me.

After working on ‘Ayushmati Geeta Matric Pass’, I felt more strongly than ever that there should be more films like this. Even in the 21st century, gender equality is still a far-off dream in many parts of India, especially in smaller towns. I realized that through films, we can do our part in spreading awareness and sparking change. It’s a powerful medium, and I want to use it to contribute, in whatever small or big way, to shaping a more equal society.

So, that’s my story so far. It’s been a journey of dreams, rejections, triumphs, and lessons learned. And while I’ve achieved some milestones, I know there’s still a long way to go. My passion for acting burns brighter every day, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.

Make sure to watch ‘Ayushmati Geeta Matric Pass’ — it’s a film with heart and a purpose, and I’m proud to be part of it.