Bollywood might look like a dreamland, an amusing place that promises name, fame, and money. However, it’s not the case for all those who enter this wonderland.
People like Arshad Warsi, who have grown alongside the Indian film industry, also feel that it’s a path full of ups and downs.
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The actor recently completed 25 illustrious years in B-town which he never expected of him.
“I am surprised as well as happy about completing 25 years in Bollywood. Mujhe laga nahi tha ke mein 25 saal tak tik paunga idhar. It used to be so frightening when I used to see all my peers disappear one after the other. I used to think ‘ab agala number mera hai’,” Hindustan Times quoted him saying.
And like many of us, dreading to make our first move, the 53-year-old was also terror-struck of failure.
“I was petrified to make my debut because I had never acted before. I was so scared of doing a film. I tried my best not to do a film. I am one of the rare breeds that tried his best to get out of the film. Because I was so scared of failure.”
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He was scared of societal judgements, of becoming a social mockery.
“I was scared of failing, and then walking around, with everybody saying ‘yeh bechara hero banne aaya tha idhar’. From going through a bad phase to working non-stop, I have seen it all.”
While the ‘Tere Mere Sapne’ actor is thrilled to have achieved this feat, he still feels he has a long way to go. “I’m grateful for all the people who had faith in me and continue to have faith in me and the audience. I feel there is going to be another long journey ahead of me. So, (the truth is), I have completed 25 years in the industry, and I’m still looking for a job because that is how the industry is,” he shared.
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For the longest time, he thought it was sheer luck steering his career. “I was like, ‘Arrey, people think I am an actor, wow’. So, it has been a surprise element all the time for the longest time.” However, over time, as he started experimenting with his roles, he realized he had it in him.
“I know my job. That phase is over where I would be like tukka lag gaya. I definitely have some little talent in me. After a long time, I realized it is because of the people I hired, like my managers, who had been rude to all of them.”
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Today, the dancer, artist, and playback singer faces his fears eye to eye and is not ready to give up just yet. “I feel grateful for every day that passes. Because if you face reality, one can say, ‘I’m getting old, and work can go slow’. But it doesn’t look like it. I am too busy all of a sudden. I don’t take failures or success too seriously. Also, I don’t give up very easily. These are the things which have worked for me subconsciously,” he concludes.
Arshad has been a source of inspiration for many. Be it with his bang-on comic timings in ‘Munna Bhai M.B.B.S’ or his class act in ‘Jolly LLB’, he has successfully made a place in the heart of the viewers, all because of his calibre. Waiting to see more of you!