Like many actors, Gulshan Grover also feels that this is the “best time” for content and talent to shine in the entertainment industry. However, he is quick to point out a trend that’s prevalent in the industry — veterans being unable to find their place.

He elaborates, “(Actor) Anupam Kher told me that several film houses and a particular casting director, Mukesh Chhabra, have decided not to cast people who have been in the business for a long time. Just because we have been in the business for a long time, someone is feeling that a person’s ability has diminished or reduced, then you are a short-term gainer.”

That being said, Grover says fortunately, he hasn’t faced this himself yet, charting it to his habit of changing genres every few years. “One of my mentors, (filmmaker) Mahesh Bhatt sahib once told me, ‘hang your gloves before these mo*******s throw you out’. The world owes me nothing. You don’t just have to reinvent but also be a trendsetter. Unless you do both, your opportunities will reduce. I have never faced that difficulty but I see several friends who are friends facing this,” says Grover, who recently appeared in a short film Baj Gai Seeti.

Further, the 67-year-old asserts that this is the best time for content and actors given how diverse the entertainment world has become with platforms for short films, feature films, web series, and serials all galore.

“This is the most brilliant time for content, for talent, and even for investors. The opportunities are enormous. Way back, restaurants used to sell diverse things on menus. But then, places opened just for pizzas or just for momos. They are running because they find enough customers. You don’t need that Delhi ki dukaan that has everything. The same way in cinema, the content has changed over the years. People now want different content and it is the perfect time to be more diverse,” he says.