Being born in a certain family isn’t a crime: Gajraj Rao
Social media platforms have proved to be a great tool for celebrities to interact and share a sneak peek of their life and work with fans. Actor Sayantani Ghosh, however, feels that people get influenced by this make-believe world very easily. “Everybody is living in the bubble of social media and looking for acceptance. When you look at other people’s posts, you feel everything is going good in their life, but that’s not true always,” Ghosh tells us.
The 35-year-old feels that life has become very challenging and it’s all the more difficult to survive in a cosmopolitan city like Mumbai. “People come from different parts of the country
Taking part in the dialogue on the need for a level playing field in Bollywood — voiced by actors Kunal Kemmu and Vidyut Jammwal, after being snubbed by an
OTT platform during their films’ announcement — Gajraj Rao hopes the industry will now start functioning in the right way.
The audience knows what they want, says the senior actor. “I also want to get that space for myself, and why not? We need equal opportunities, whether one flourishes or not depends on their talent. It’s the audience who gives the final verdict and viewers can’t be fooled,” he opines.
Rao, 50, explains that when one goes to a theatre to watch a film, whether it has stars or not doesn’t matter. “Agar aisa hota to Badhaai Ho (2018) successful nahi hoti. There was so much talk around Thugs of Hindostan (2018) — big stars and much money being spent — but it’s for everyone to see what happened when it released. People forgot about the film in three days,” says the Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan actor.
Sharing his views on the ongoing debate around nepotism and favouritism, though Rao agrees that they both happen, he is also quick to point that it’s there in every profession. He tells us, “A lot of the popular actors in the industry are outsiders, and many stars kids haven’t done well. There are those who’ve surpassed their parents, like Hrithik
Roshan or Tiger Shroff, who have created their to make a living here. Despite having friends around, it does get lonely, and all you’re left to do is go visit a shopping mall and spend money there. Some [may] also slip into depression,” says the actor.
Recalling the time when she shifted to Mumbai 15 years ago, Ghosh says it was all about survival of the fittest. “I’ve been through low phases in life and I feel life, overall, is very challenging now. I’ve been through depression as well, and there have been times when I sought therapy.
Every small thing such as bad relationship, lack of financial stability, a show coming to an end or just being stuck in traffic for hours — all that accumulates to low own space in the industry. Being born in a certain family isn’t a crime, you need to have it in you (to make it big). In fact, I sympathise with these star kids; they have this extra pressure on them to prove themselves.”
Satisfied with his career graph, the actor doesn’t believe in any sort of comparisons. “If I start thinking, ‘Had I got this fame earlier, it would’ve been better’ or ‘Ab toh kya ye level playing field jo chal raha hai chalne do’, then I won’t be able to work. I know of actors who’re far more talented than I am, who haven’t got their due yet,” Rao shares, adding that he is happy that he is at least getting to play central and substantial characters.
However, he feels, “This might not be permanent. After some time, I might start getting roles having seven or eight scenes, like I did in Black Friday (2004). Ambition hai, par main usme beh nahi jaata.” life condition,” she shares.
Though a lot of people still consider mental health and depression a taboo, and feel reserved to talk about it, the actor asserts, “I don’t think there is any shame in admitting it. We can go to a beautician, fitness expert and nutritionist, but why can’t we go to a therapist for our mental health?”
When asked what kept her going in such circumstances, Ghosh shares, “A certain sense of gratitude and selfbelief helped me survive all the challenges, and I’m still going strong. My father has been a great support, and he always told me that there’s no substitute for hard work and one should just trust their abilities.”