Veteran actor Gulshan Grover has an illustrious career in the film industry. From playing small supportive roles to making an impact with his performances as an acclaimed antagonist, the ‘Bad Man’ paved his way from Bollywood to Hollywood. The ‘Hate Story 4’ actor has nearly 400 movies to his credit and he dedicates all of it to his hard work, passion for cinema and determination.
An outsider in B-town, Grover also had his share of struggles during the initial stages of his career. Talking about it in an interview with Hindustan Times, he says:
“I used to stand outside people’s offices for hours; this is after I was a trained actor. So, it’s sincerity and hard work that eventually pay off.”
However, he adds that insiders like Amitabh Bachchan and Shatrughan Sinha did help him set his foot in the industry. “I’m a product of hard work, but insiders did help me. Shatrughan Sinha got me a role, Amitabh Bachchan recommended me for a movie.”
Sharing his two cents on the insider-outsider debate surrounding Bollywood, Grover says:
“Insiders do have it easy when it comes to getting introductions, meeting directors or getting opportunities.”
“The film fraternity, however, cannot guarantee that a star kid will be a star. They definitely have an advantage over outsiders, but the final decision is in the public’s hand.”
When quizzed about the heated debate on nepotism and if his son is looking to make an entry in Bollywood, the 60-year-old opines, “The father isn’t helping the son, but the son is helping the father. Sanjay is part of Hollywood cinema, as a film producer. He’s doing incredibly well and is far ahead of me. He’s helping me find roles. But having said that, I’d be glad if he chooses to come and work in Bollywood.”
Grover is also a part of the movie ‘Sadak 2’ that was brutally trolled by people online post Sushant Singh Rajput’s death. Talking about it, he says:
“There are two separate things that I feel. Firstly, I’m a supporter of Justice for Sushant, and I’m hoping more clarity will emerge in the case.”
“Secondly, I’m working with Mahesh Bhatt, one of the greatest directors who has given me film after film, and I’m extremely excited for the movie.”
Even though the ‘Sooryavanshi’ actor has a couple of projects lined up, he quips that it’s too soon to resume shooting. “People who’ve gone out to shoot their films are following strict protocols and taking all necessary precautions. But in India, I feel, we need at least a month more to reach a stage where we can start shooting again. However, I’m very excited for my future projects and can’t wait to be back on the sets,” he concludes.
Gulshan Grover is one of the only actors who made me fall in love with villains. Let’s hope we can see more of his class act soon.