“My school days were extremely good. After school, I took admission in Lucknow University and completed B.A. But I did not go to college much because I didn’t like the atmosphere over there. Once my sister’s friend’s father organized a modeling pageant. When I got to know about it, I decided to participate. I won the pageant and my title was ‘Mr. WORLD PASSIONATE 360’. This title changed everything for me including my priorities. I started following my passion.
When I was in the first year of my graduation, a friend of mine asked me if I know someone who could act in his short film. He described the character. I realized that it was the best opportunity to know to explore myself. I had never acted in a short film and I knew nothing about it. But he assured me that I will be able to pull it off and my first ever short film happened. While shooting for it, I realized that I am enjoying doing this and gradually I understood that acting is the right profession for me to plunge into.
I decided to train myself and so I attended many workshops organized by different institutes. I think what helped me the most was that I explored myself a lot and that helped me to know what my real passion is. When I decided I want to be an actor, I started looking for ways to enter this industry. I did a crowd walk for many films which were shot in Lucknow. I started with ‘Petta’ starring legend Rajnikanth and did the crowd. The only reason to do it was that maybe I would be able to see the legend and learn something by observing him. We used to work for 12 hours but my coordinator cheated with on me did not give me my payment.
I continued doing crowd for many films and the first payment I got was Rs 500 for ‘Batla House’. My happiness was beyond words. I kept on appearing for auditions but nothing much was happening. Then I got my first break in a Bhojpuri movie ‘Bhaag Khesari Bhaag’ starring Bhojpuri superstar ‘Khesari Lal Yadav’. I played a few roles in the movie and that was the first time when I saw myself on the big screen. I also worked as a FEATURED ARTIST for ‘GUNJAN SAXENA: THE KARGIL GIRL‘ and that was a great learning experience for me.
My cousin made fun of me when I told him that I want to be an actor. Even his father made fun of me and started convincing me that it’s very difficult to get into this industry. He said that I should focus on my studies and try to get a government job. He asked me “Ek saal mein kitne log hero bante hain?” and I answered him “Muje hero nahi actor banna hai.” I took all of it positively.
My mindset is my biggest support system and my mother supports me a lot at every step. I look up to Manoj Bajajpai, Late Sushant Singh Rajput, Pankaj Tripathi, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Rajkumar Rao, and Tanvir Singh. They made a mark in this industry with their hard work and determination. I gave an audition for ‘GULABO SITABO‘. After a month, I got a call saying ‘you have been selected and please come to shoot on time’. When I was on the set, suddenly a man came to me and said “Hi I am Shoojit” and I couldn’t believe this was happening to me. My heartbeat raced and the sidecar was briefing the scene to me. I think it is my biggest achievement to date.
I have participated in modeling competitions and pageants and have won few titles as well. Currently, I am not working on any project due to this pandemic, and I am utilizing this time for my YouTube channel, ‘Sanam Creations‘. My first film on my youtube channel was on depression, ‘Black and White’.
What I understood with time and with my experience is that people join this industry because of its glamorous outlook but only good looks won’t help. One should know the art to enact. After joining this field, I’ve become more developed emotionally and I don’t judge people based on their looks, clothes, hairstyles, habits, or culture. I have now become more acceptable towards the way things are.
After I did Gulabo Sitabo, I got to see so many memes on me but I did not let those affect me. Maybe things take time, but whatever you want will come to you for sure. I think struggles are the part of life and determination is the force that helps us keep moving ahead in our life towards our goal. If your aim is big and unconventional, people will make fun of you but we should go for our happiness co that’s life !”
Instagram – @sh_ubham9542
*The views expressed in the above article are of the writer and not Winged Club.