Being an outsider, the struggle is real but it's worth it. Hardwork+Talent+Luck-If you have got this 3, No one can stop you.I would just like to say that even if the entire universe or everyone are against you, and if you're right, TRUE, more deserving and more expert than others but if you're alone, I'd just like to suggest people to never give up on yourself.
1. Tell us about your background and journey.
I have never had any filmy background in my family. My mom is a housewife, my dad is a teacher and my sister is a finance manager. But I had this activeness, liveliness, wittiness, humour, confidence and effortless talent of acting since childhood which was noticed by a director who gave me my first Ad Film break back in 2006!
About my journey, I have been acting in this film industry since 16 years now i.e., since 2004. Back then, I was merely 4 years old with no experience, just a childhood innocence, energetically active and was never taught to shy away from people as I used to dance every year on the Cultural Festival of my society daily during Ganesh Festival, and in my school I used to win 1st prize in all the competitions every year like fancy dress competition, elocution competition, dance competition, singing competition, etc.!
Seeing that lively energy and unique talent at such a young age, one of our acquaintances suggested my mom to try my luck in the film industry if it was possible, but since my mom had no clue how or where to start, we participated in a FASHION SHOW competition held at a mall judged by 'BOOGIE WOOGIE' (Dance Reality Show that used to telecast on Sony Tv) judges and even in that competition, I stood 1st among 200-300 participants. After that day, I was been approached by people for auditions.
But then for 2 years, I just gave auditions, after my school recess but didn't ever got selected in any till 2006, until I got my 1st Ad Film break of STATE BANK OF INDIA MUTUAL FUNDS. After that ad, I did a lot of ads like Chocolibe Chocolate Ad Film-Directed By Ashwini Iyer Tiwari man & Nitesh Tiwari sir, Boost Ad with Sachin Tendulkar & Dhoni, Titan Ad with Amir Khan, Glucon-D, Bingo, etc.
Now I have done 150 Advertisements, 5 Bollywood Movies, 1 Hollywood Russian Movie- RODINA, 46 Tv Shows, 10 Short Films and have received a National Award for Acting, all because of God's grace and my mom's hardwork & faith in me. I have uploaded all of my ads, film clips, BTS, show clips, etc. on my Official Social Media Platforms.
2. Did you ever think or dream of being an actor?
When I was 4 years old, I didn't even know what 'Becoming an Actor' was. All I was doing was studying, playing, dancing, participating in competitions, and I used to enjoy little things with a lot of ACTIVENESS. My mom noticed my activeness and sportiness and she channelized my energy into something so productive that not only I am proud of what I am right now but I can entertain people with just the skills and energy that was perfectly channelized by my mom, experienced people and professionally expert people.
Also, back in my teens, when I was studying for my boards, I had to make a very important and serious decision in my 10th as well as 12th Standard boards exams to either study vigorously or pursue my career by studying less and shooting more. That moment I decided to study more, and shoot less which helped me score Maharashtra Topper in 2016-17 in my 12th Std HSC BOARDS exams by securing 92% and scoring highest in S.P, Economics and B.K. in Maharashtra.
So now I can happily say that not only I wanted to be an Actor but I wanted to be an EDUCATED ACTOR.
3. How can one approach their career and have the confidence and belief to become an actor?
STRUGGLE, REJECTION, LOW/NO REMUNERATION, BEING AN OUTSIDER, RUMOURS, ENVITY, JEALOUSY, FAKE NEWS, etc. are a part of hardwork, patience and dark phases in any business but what matters the most is your KARMA and how you use your mind, body and heart to pursue your SELF DEVELOPMENT, POLISH YOUR TALENT, LEARNING UNIQUE THINGS and NOT BEING MEDIOCRE, is how you can have confidence and belief to become an Actor.
In order to approach your career, focus on references, links, contacts and meet new people, learn from professionals, observe minute little things & beings around you, inhibit what you read, see and listen, inculcate good habits and consume inspirational and motivational movies and books!
4. If not this, what would you be doing?
If not this, I would either been an Engineer, CA, Science Student, Economist, PROFESSOR, TEACHER etc. as I love studying and I am very studious, I could study straight away for 12-14 hours a day as I did this in my 10th-12th Std Board Exams or I might have probably been a CYCLIST as I love Cycling and doing stunts on it.
5. For a compete outsider with inroads, what advice would you like to give?
Being an outsider, the struggle is real but it's worth it. Hardwork+Talent+Luck-If you have got this 3, No one can stop you.I would just like to say that even if the entire universe or everyone are against you, and if you're right, TRUE, more deserving and more expert than others but if you're alone, I'd just like to suggest people to never give up on yourself.
Sometimes, we may doubt our existence, our uniqueness and our talent, but in the end, if you think you're meant for it and if you're doing the right thing to achieve it, then no matter what happens, no matter how people will try to pull you down, just keep struggling because our EVERY KARMA IS BEEN RECORDED IN THE BOOKS OF GOD and in the right time, you'll get what you deserve ! So just hold on, keep patience, and keep doing your hardwork!
6. What is your mantra of success?
HONESTY SAVES EVERYONE'S TIME.
That's my main mantra. Being honest with myself and with others. Not only does it saves my time but everyone else's time too.
7. Which is your favorite book and why?
Although, I love studying, and reading my syllabus books, but I am not much of a reader, I would read an ECONOMICS Related Book anytime but I am much of a 'VIEWER'. I like watching movies, films, interviews, reality debates and inspirational unique content. And my most favourite movie till now is 'THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION', a 1994, Oscar Award Winning Movie, and I love watching Christopher Nolan, and Steven
Spielberg Movies because not only does it motivates and inspires me but it somehow urges me to inculcate the good qualities, doing the right things, and as we quote - 'We are what we see'. So I focus on seeing such films that pushes me and moves me to do the right thing and fight my inner devil to win my inner soul in order to focus on my GREATER GOOD concept!
- Jay Thakkar
Interviewed by- Rupali Rawat
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