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“The struggle made me a better artist and a better person…” - Neel Samarthh

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By Bollyy
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“The struggle made me a better artist and a better person…” - Neel Samarthh

The game of luck is also strange. A person wants something else, but fate makes them do something else. This is the bitter truth. Neel Samarthh, who made his mark as an actor by acting in many TV serials including 'Hamari Bahu Rajni Kant', 'Kundali Bhagya', 'Waris' and 'Sapno Ki Chhalaang', never wanted to become an actor. Neel Samarthh always wanted to become a famous singer and musician. Neel himself says - "I feel that if I had been making music as a lyricist and singer, I would have found more peace." I came to Mumbai with the dream of becoming a singer. I was living in the same room with an actor in Mumbai. One day, while going for an audition, he took me along with him. When we went there the casting director noticed me and asked me if I was an actor. I hesitated and said I didn't want to do it because I had no acting experience. However, he insisted and asked me to at least introduce myself. I reluctantly gave a brief introduction, and then they asked me to do a small part of a script. Surprisingly, I was selected for the audition. This was the moment when I realized that my acting talent was hidden within me.

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Actually, Neel Samarthh had earlier acted in a short film. Neel himself says-

yes! I had done a short film in my hometown Nagpur and was offered a negative role in it. The experience was unique because he came to my hometown to shoot the film and in the very first scene, I was able to perform well in one take. This experience made me realize that besides singing and music, I have other skills that I should explore. Although I had this idea in my mind, I did not take it seriously until I was successful in the audition for that advertisement.”

After reaching Mumbai, Neel Samarth had to face a lot of troubles. In this regard, he says – “When I moved from Nagpur to Mumbai, I thought that everything would be done very easily and I would become popular as a singer and musician. But after reaching Mumbai, I realized that life was not easy for me, because I did not know anyone in Bollywood. I had no connections or support, not even a single person I knew. So, I had to start from scratch and meet new people. At that time, I was not a skilled actor. I was thinking only about singing and music. But after an audition incident, I started experimenting towards improving myself in acting as well. After spending a lot of time in Bollywood, I realized that it was important to go through those initial challenges. I started with small and varied roles just to make ends meet. It was a period of extreme pressure, but I learned a lot under those circumstances. So, I wouldn't call it a struggle. I consider this a phase of learning. Because of this I have grown as an artist. The truth is that in the beginning I was forced to act for money, playing small roles. When I first came to Mumbai from Nagpur, I had very little money, and despite being from a well-to-do family, I never asked my parents for financial help. I had a lot of self-respect, and I managed with the little savings I had. I still face challenges today, but I don't see them as struggles. I look at every day as an opportunity to learn and grow, whether it's enhancing my acting skills or improving as a person. At a time when there was shortage of money, acting was my only support. This helped me acquire various skills and become a better person. So, I wouldn't call it a struggle. It was a positive journey for me.”

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Talking about his inspiration in the world of acting, Neel Samarthh says- “When it comes to Bollywood, I consider myself old school and I have always admired Anil Kapoor a lot. I have seen many of his films and he has played a variety of characters with different shades. He is a versatile actor who can play negative, positive, comedy, romantic roles – he is a complete package. In the modern era I look up to Ranbir Kapoor. His acting is subtle and restrained and he can play a variety of roles effectively. Both these actors are remarkable in their own right. However, if I had to choose an overall inspiration, Shah Rukh Khan has always been and will always be my inspiration. I believe he is extraordinary in every aspect of his art.”

Discussing the changes in the TV industry, Neel Samarthh says - "When I came into the industry, people wanted over the top acting. But in recent years I have seen significant changes in the TV industry, these changes and developments Very happy with. When I initially started in TV, it often demanded exaggerated and unrealistic acting. However, as time has passed, I have noticed that every year and every day, a new generation of individuals are entering the industry with new and more realistic ideas. This evolution has not only influenced the way TV is made, but also contributed to my growth as an artist. I have been exposed to better perspectives and ideas, which have helped me improve my art. I am optimistic about the future and hope that the industry will continue to improve day by day. Additionally, I have seen that audiences have evolved with these changes and appreciate the new and more authentic approach to TV content.”

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Talking about the roles, Neel Samarthh said, “I have always been looking for roles which include gangster or crime thriller characters. For example, characters like Vivek Oberoi's role in 'Company', or roles in films like Gangajal, Shootout at Lokhandwala, Raajneeti and my personal favourite, 'Once Upon a Time in Mumbai'. More recently, I have been attracted to characters like Avinash Tiwari's role in 'Bombay Meri Jaan'. I am really crazy about such deep and interesting characters. I have always been versatile and have played all kinds of roles, but I think my dream role is yet to come.”

These days, actors in TV and Bollywood are committing suicide due to depression. But Neel Samarthh believes that this is happening in every field. Being in the entertainment industry is like being the keynote speaker at a concert. There is a charm here, but with great performance comes both excitement and challenges. I have personally felt the intensity of the spotlight, and the struggles it can create. However, it's important to remember that mental health challenges are like autographs. Everyone can have it, no matter what their profession is. You see, stress is like a backpack that we all carry with us sometimes. It doesn't matter if you're into movies, books, the medical field or rocket science. What's important is sharing our backpack stories, helping each other, and spreading kindness. Stress can't compete with teamwork and good feelings. Stress is like a playlist. We all have our favourite tunes. The hustle and bustle in the entertainment industry may be intense, but we must not forget that stress extends to various businesses. In my journey, I have faced various challenges, but every job has its own unique obstacles. The main thing is to share stories, support each other and dance to the rhythm of empathy.”

 

- Shantiswarup Tripathi

 

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