I auditioned and unexpectedly got my first television show when I was 17 which is almost three years back from now. I think that was the time when my inclination towards acting became more highlighted.
1. Tell us about your background and journey
I’ve been born and brought up in South Mumbai. I live with my parents and my sister, me being the younger one. I have been blessed with the most understanding and supportive family one could ask for. Apart from these three people, one of my dad’s oldest friends, my aunty is an important part of my life. I’ve always believed in quality over quantity and so you could say that I have a very small social circle.
Art, especially performing arts, like music and dance has been an integral part of my life since my childhood. My mother and sister are trained classical singers and my dad, a tabla player. I have my interest in light music and I like playing a couple of instruments like the keyboard and tabla. I’m also a trained Kathak dancer, waiting to give my last year exam and get my Visharat degree.
I auditioned and unexpectedly got my first television show when I was 17 which is almost three years back from now. I think that was the time when my inclination towards acting became more highlighted. Along with acting, I am currently doing Bachelors in Arts in Psychology and Political Science.
2. Did you ever think or dream of being an actor?
To be honest, I had never thought, or for that matter even dreamed of becoming an actor. I had done a couple of photo-shoots for clothing brands and a tv commercial when I was really young but that was that and I never thought I’d want to make a career out of it. In fact, until the 8th grade, I wanted to study medicine and become a surgeon but then reality hit me and I realized physics and chemistry is not my cup of tea, lol.
It was when my sister was casting for a digital ad for puma with Virat Kohli, about 4 years back, when she called me and asked me to come audition because she couldn’t find suitable faces for the project. Luckily enough, that worked out for me and post that, things started unfolding for me on their own. I started getting audition calls and just like that scored my first television show and I realized how much I love doing what I was doing. It was almost as if I had found my purpose.
3. How can one approach their career and have the confidence and belief to become an actor?
I think the first thing an aspiring actor needs to learn is patience. It’s important to understand that this is a very competitive field, ironically because people think its “easy” to become an actor today considering there are so many platforms available for people to grab attention of the story-makers.
Give auditions, take criticism positively, be professional and most importantly, don’t be disheartened by rejection. Also, keep your mind open and learn from every single experience.
For some people things work out quickly but for others, unfortunately, it may take years of struggle before they reach where they want to be. So, to be mentally strong and have enough passion and love for your craft is mandatory.
4. If not this, what would you be doing?
Like I mentioned earlier, I am doing my Bachelors in Arts right now. Post graduation, I am going to do my masters in Psychology and hope to become a Clinical Psychologist in the future along with being an actor.
5. For a compete outsider with inroads, what advice would you like to give?
No matter how small the opportunity is, never let it go. For us outsiders, every opportunity is a stepping-stone to where we want to reach. At the same time, after a certain point in one’s career, what to take up and what to let go also becomes an important decision. Always listen to what your instinct and heart is telling you. Never do anything that makes you uncomfortable thinking it is going to make you lose opportunities in the future. Most importantly, never let the recognition or growth get to your head.
6. What is your mantra of success?
Never compare your growth with anyone else’s. “I’m content with my growth” is what I always say to myself.
7. Which is your favorite book and why?
I’m not much of a reader and I don’t say this very proudly. The most intense book that I have read is my Psychology textbook!
- Khushi Mishra
Interviewed by- Rupali Rawat
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