Acting As A Career: Don't Let the Passion Die!

I believe that all actors make an individual contribution to the film industry and I still have a very long way to go. So I am looking forward to what the future holds for me.

Growing up in an army family was lovely. I had a wonderful childhood, very sporty and carefree. I loved dancing as a kid and wanted to become a dancer. You can attribute it to this fascination for dance that I adored Tina Turner and Michael Jackson. All this while I never gave a thought to acting. When I joined Lady Irwin College, I remember our seniors ragging us in a weird fashion. They put us through a mock fashion show where they made us wear our clothes inside out, and drenched our hair in oil. We looked very silly, but I guess some of the seniors must've thought I had potential because they selected me for the fashion show teams. I have to give it to the girls in my team. They were quite savvy, and I just followed their lead, putting together a portfolio, auditioning for ads.

It was then when I gave a thought to acting and wanted to explore my acting further. So I got into music videos and modelling. It was while shooting for a music video that I learnt about the auditions being organised for Sudhir Mishra's Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi. I was selected, and here I am! Some of my movies in the offing are Rohit Dhawan's film Desi Boyz, opposite Akshay Kumar. I'm also doing Prakash Jha's film with Arjun Rampal, and Goldie Behl's film with John Abraham. So, it is going to be a busy next few months.

I love my work and that is what people who want to succeed in life must do. Find out what you really enjoy doing, and what are the options in that direction career-wise. Today, there are many options for people as you don't have the traditional career limitations. So, find out what you are good at and follow that.

Author: Garima Upadhyay (HT Horizons)

Date: 5th May 2011