What makes a story inspiring? Well, when a person comes out of difficult circumstances to succeed in life and career, they sure do!
That’s why we’ve gone ahead and compiled a list of celebrities who have spoken about their humble beginnings and taught us that anything is possible. Here take a look:
1. Nawazuddin Siddiqqui
In a interview, Nawazuddin Siddiqqui talked about finding his way into a job as a chemist, caretaker, then joining NSD and finally moving to Mumbai in 2000 to start his Bollywood journey. The actor has clearly worked incredibly hard to get to where he is now!
It was much later that I started to take an interest in theatre. After completing my studies, I held positions such as chief chemist in Baroda. Then I joined a theater troupe in Delhi. Since there is no money in the theater, I had to take a job as a caretaker. All of these things happened simultaneously. Then I enrolled in the National School of Drama (NSD), fainting in 1996. I worked in Delhi for four years before finally moving to Mumbai in 2000.
– Nawazuddin Siddiqqui told DNA
2. Samantha Ruth Prabhu
In Coffee with Karan’s third episode of this season, Samantha Ruth Prabhu discussed how her father was unable to pay his student loans, which eventually pushed her into acting jobs so she could better support herself.
In fact, I had no choice when entering this profession, because things were difficult at home. We didn’t have a lot of money to continue our studies… but I’m really happy. When my dad said, “No, I can’t repay your loans,” it changed my life.
– Samantha Ruth Prabhu on KWK Episode 3 Season 7
3. Boman Irani
Boman Irani is one of the legends of our film industry, his journey to becoming an actor is no less than a marvel either. Apparently the actor worked as waiterin room service and as a photographer for a while before getting into theater and Bollywood!
I did not have (this) qualification. Toh maine socha main khud kuchh karlu… toh main waiter bann gaya taj mahal main hotel. Do saal maine woh kiya, room service mein kaam kiya dedh saal. Sapin French restaurant mein kaam kiya, bar mein kaam kiya. . . pachees pachees rupay mein main photos bhechta tha, it was fantastic.
– Boman Irani told Abish Mathew
4. Arshad Warsi
To work as seller To support his family, become a choreographer and then finally an actor, Arshad Warsi took on heavy responsibilities from an early age. And we’re so happy to see him flourish now, because he really deserves it.
My parents fell ill, I saw my life collapsing. We had a house, but maintaining it became a problem, so we had to part with it. From a bungalow, we moved to a one-room apartment and I understood that life was changing. I left school after 10 years and started working. I’ve done everything from selling cosmetics to working in a photo lab to assisting Bhatt sahab on Kaash and Thikana join Akbar Sami’s dance group.
– Arshad Warsi told TOI
5. Yash
KGF: Chapter 2 star Yash has also speak about the fact that he had very little money of his own when he started his acting career. The celeb had an ultimatum from his parents regarding his acting ambitions.
I ran away from home. When I arrived in Bangalore, I was scared as soon as I arrived there. Such a big and intimidating city. But I’ve always been a confident guy. I was not afraid to struggle. I only had 300 rupees in my pocket when I arrived in Bangalore. I knew that if I came back, my parents would never allow me to come back. My parents gave me an ultimatum. I was free to try my luck as an actor but after that, if it didn’t work out, I had to do what they asked of me.
– Yash told Spotboye
6. Rupali Ganguly
Known for her roles in Sarabhai vs. Sarabhai and Anupamaa, Rupali Ganguly once worked as a waitress to help her family through a tough time.
My father was a filmmaker, Anil Ganguly, who made films with a lot of passion… Unfortunately, two three of his films went down the drain and we were literally on the street. During those days I was making films but I never took my career seriously. At that time the practice of the casting couch was very widespread. I decided I couldn’t deal with it. I got out and started doing hotel management at Dadar Catering. But I kept playing with it. I also had to support my family, so I had to work because dad was not well. I worked in shops, I worked as a waiter thanks to my hotel school. I would get ₹180 per hour.
– Rupali Ganguly told TOI
7. Rekha
In a interview in 2014. Rekha opened up about how she was pushed into the film industry at a very young age. It wasn’t something she chose for herself, it was something she had to do to provide for her mother and herself.
I had no plans to come to Mumbai, or to become an actor, or to be single, or to lead the life that I lead now. Someone decided this life for me… When I was young, my mother sent me into the film industry and I worked four or five shifts a day for 15-20 years. I’m reaping the rewards today.
– Rekha told The Hindu
8. Akshay Kumar
Akshay Kumar has always been transparent from humble beginnings. About how he worked as a martial arts trainer and waiter, before he rose to fame.
I did martial arts in Bangkok for 4-5 years. Later, I worked as a waiter, and there was no tip.
-Akshay Kumar
9. Manoj Bajpai
I guess we are all aware of Manoj Bajpai’s background. He never hesitated to Speaking how he started acting and how he really had to fight against certain circumstances to finally set foot in Bollywood.
I am a farmer’s son; I grew up in a village in Bihar with 5 siblings, we went to a hut school. We led a simple life, but every time we went to town we went to the theater. I was a Bachchan fan and wanted to be like him. At 9 years old, I knew acting was my destiny. But I couldn’t afford to dream and I continued my studies. Yet my mind refused to focus on anything else, so at 17 I left for DU.
– Manoj Bajpai told Humans Of Bombay
I would say “Rich to Rich”, but I personally believe that a person is never really a “threat”, they have always been a diamond, yet to be discovered.
