As told to Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 23, 2019)

I had joined the Summer Funk course at Shiamak Davar’s dance institute (left) when I was around 16. I had a blast and even won an award after being adjudged one of the best dancers. Unfortunately, the trophy broke while I was returning home from the performance hall. Now, that was heart-breaking. But I guess I must have caught the eye because soon after, I was selected for a special potential batch and started assisting an instructor by the name of Kunal.

We were given two options: we could teach at one of Shiamak’s commercial classes or as a part of an initiative, train the kids of sex workers in Kamathipura. I chose the latter and worked as an assistant instructor with them for almost a year. Besides dance, we would also help them with their studies. It was an incredible experience and life back then was hectic.

I remember I would catch the 5.50 am local train from Andheri to Grant Road. On the way, I would grab a samosa-pav and Rooh Afza-laced milk. The class would go on for an hour or so after which Kunal and I would go to an Irani bakery for breakfast. Then, I would leave for college while he would head towards a work commitment. In the evening, all the instructors would meet again for training. Our day never ended before 10 pm, sometimes even 11 pm. I was one of the youngest instructors, VJ Manish Anand was one of my colleagues, and I have fond memories of the time we spent with those kids.

I earned my first salary from a school assignment. Some people had flown down from New Zealand and were working on a catalogue. They needed a still photographer for their project and zeroed in on me. I was paid Rs 200 for those pictures and I used the money to play video games.

While I was dabbling in all this, I knew deep down that I wanted to be an actor but the plan was to get into it after completing my education. But when I was 17, I was working at the dance institute where I met this producer who offered me a TV show. It was Diwali night. I grabbed the offer and shot for it, waiting impatiently for the show to air. But because of some legal issues between the producers and the broadcasters, it was stuck. It finally released after six years in the 2 am slot. And my mother would stay awake to watch it.

However, while I was waiting for it, I worked in the same producer’s office for two-three months as an assistant in the creative team. I would conduct auditions. After that I tried but since no offers were coming my way, I joined a coffee shop in Juhu. I was the cleaner-cum-worker. The idea of starting work at such an early age was to support myself and my family in whatever way I could. I worked at the coffee shop for six to seven months. My job included monitoring the restrooms to see that they were cleaned every few hours. I had to check if the soap and the tissue paper were there, among other things. Sometimes my friends would show up and order a cappuccino, leaving behind a Rs 10-Rs 20 tip for me.

Occasionally, I would see people giving me the ‘look’, wondering why a well-spoken guy like me was working at a coffee shop. One of my seniors there knew I had acting aspirations and would encourage me a lot. He called me “sundar ladka” and believed good things were in store for me.

I hung on to my acting dream and eventually Dharam Veer (below) happened in 2008. This TV show was a fictional story of two princes set in 13th century Aryanagar with me playing the righteous and dutiful Dharam and Rajat Tokas as Veer. This was followed by Balika Vadhu a year later, followed by other TV shows like Baba Aiso Varr Dhoondo and Qubool Hai, followed by my big Bollywood break in Lootera in which I played Ranveer Singh’s friend. I have just wrapped up Meghna Gulzar’s Chhapaak with Deepika Padukone.