I did not come to Mumbai because I wanted to be a star. I came to Mumbai because I genuinely love acting, and it gives me a kick.
I've grown up in Mumbai, did college from Mumbai, many colleges, actually - Jai Hind, Ruia, Andrews, Wilson, Whistling Woods... Then I worked as a production assistant with Prahlad Kakar, and then I started acting.
I recently passed through Mumbai airport. I cannot claim it was a pleasant experience. But if I had a choice between Mumbai airport and Euston on a Sunday afternoon, I'd take Mumbai any day.
When I came to Mumbai, I was just 19 years old and did the TV show, 'Remix'. Thereafter, I just fell in love with acting.
I did not come to Mumbai to act. I came here to look for a job as our business had shut down, and it was a difficult time for us.
After 'Njandukalude...' I had gone for an acting course in Mumbai as I felt the need to improve my acting skills.
Though Suparna is a Malayali, she has spent a large part of her life in Mumbai. She's a Mumbai girl. In fact, I saw the real Mumbai through Suparna's eyes. Of course, I knew Mumbai before I got to know Suparna. But it was Suparna who showed me sides to Mumbai I had never seen.
I first came to Mumbai when I was very young. My mom is from here, and dad always had some work around here, so Mumbai always felt like a second home. I moved here when I was 16 and went to junior college here as well.
My lowest point came when I shifted to Mumbai in 1993. Nothing was happening. This is right after I did 'Bandit Queen.' I had no way to tell people that I know my job. There was no casting department here. All the commercial films that were happening in those days did not have any place for me.
When I was doing theatre in Mumbai, actors won't come because they had television. For many years, I did theatre religiously and in Mumbai, I saw people disrespecting it and it hurt me very badly.
I had no real experience studying acting; I came to it having done other things for a living for many, many years, and I have this gigantic respect for experience and technique.
Actually, acting and hosting shows just happened on the way, and I will do it 'til it lasts and then concentrate on writing.
When I came to Mumbai in 2005 for a holiday, I received work offers. So I decided to stay back and pursue a modelling and acting career.
My first real experience of acting was 'Peaky Blinders.' That was the most intense experience. In those situations you learn so quickly, and I did. My brother had the script for the second season - they had already done the first - and he said there was a great part for me.
I was born in Faridabad but brought up in Delhi and Mumbai. My father had been living hand-to-mouth and literally slept on railway platforms when he came to Mumbai for the first time to become a film singer. My parents were both singers; they sang together and fell in love due to their singing.
When I came to Mumbai eight years ago, I had a realistic approach. I was sure that nobody will give me work... And I was also very choosy about wheat kind of work I did.