It’s hard to make it big in Bollywood if you are not from a filmy background. There is a lot of struggle for an outsider to get a chance in movies but there have been actors who made it big even after being an outsider. Their rags to riches stories inspire many to chase their dreams passionately and with perseverance and one day, the dreams will come true. Here we will discuss seven Bollywood actors who grew from rags to riches
Shahrukh Khan
Shahrukh Khan today is not just a superstar in India but the entire globe and he is considered one of the most famous actors across the world. He had a humble beginning in a middle-class household in Delhi. His father died when he was quite young and his mother passed away before he became an actor. His story is an inspiration to many as he made it big in Bollywood even after being an outsider with no filmy background.
Akshay Kumar
Akshay Kumar is one of the biggest stars in India and is regarded as one of the highest-paid actors in India. But it was not a smooth ride for him as before getting a break in Bollywood he did many odd jobs to sustain himself. He went to Bangkok to learn martial arts and worked there as a chef to make a living. After coming back to India he did quite a few jobs before he signed his first movie. His first movie was Saugandh but it was Khiladi directed by Abbas-Mustan that got him in the limelight and after that his hard work and dedication to the craft, he became the big star he is today.
Rajnikanth
Rajnikanth is one of the biggest stars India has ever seen and the rags to riches story of Rajnilanth is an inspiration to many. He is basically a Marathi guy whose real name is Shivajirao Gaekwad but he made Tamil Nadu his home and did many small jobs like being a bus conductor or a coolie before getting a chance in movies. From his childhood, he was interested in movies and did lots of theatre before getting a break in the movies.
Arshad Warsi
The success story of Arshad Warsi is nothing less than a totally filmy story. He was born in a well-off family but after his father died, his family went into a financial crunch and he had to leave school and do odd jobs to sustain himself in a city like Mumbai. He worked as a door-to-door salesman to make a living and then he turned into a choreographer in the movies. He got his break with ‘Tere Mere Sapne’ produced by Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Limited. The movie was a moderate success and he kept getting work and his biggest breakthrough came with Munna bhai MBBS which had Sanjay Dutt in the lead and he played the character of Circuit which became one of the most iconic characters of recent times and since then there has been no looking back for him.
Ayushman Khurrana
Today Ayushman Khurrana is one of the most sought-after actors who made it big in Bollywood with his sheer talent and hard work. He had no connection with the movie world but he always dreamt to be in this industry. His journey started when he won the second season of the popular show ‘Roadies’ on MTV. Then he started anchoring shows and got his first big break with Vicky Donor. The movie was a surprise hit that year and Ayushman even won many awards for best debut. He made a name for himself in Bollywood by working in movies which other actors didn’t dare to do. From playing a sperm donor to a young man facing problems such as premature ejaculation to playing a gay he did movies no other actors will dare to do and today he is one of the busiest actors in Bollywood with many movies under his belt.
Kangana Ranaut
Kangana Ranaut is one of the most successful Bollywood actresses today with blockbuster movies like Queen, Tanu Weds Manu series, and Manikarnika. She is originally from Himachal Pradesh who always wanted to be an actress. She ran away from her house with mere 10 thousand rupees with her. She struggled a lot before getting a chance in ‘Gangster’ directed by Anurag Basu and produced by Vishesh Films of Mahesh and Mukesh Bhatt. Gangster was a successful movie and it fetched Kangana Ranaut the Filmfare Award for Best Debut (Female). With three national awards in her kitty, today she is one of the highest-paid actresses in Bollywood.
Nawazuddin Siddique
The story of Nawazuddin Siddique is an inspiration to many and proves that talent, hard work, and perseverance always pay off, sometimes sooner and sometimes later. Nawazuddin Siddique is from a family of farmers in Budhana, Uttar Pradesh. He is one of the eight children in his family and his world had no connection with the film industry in any way but with sheer dedication and patience, he made it of his own in Bollywood. Today Nawazuddin Siddiqui is one of the most sought-after actors in Bollywood. He was a student of the National School of Drama (NSD), New Delhi who came to Mumbai to become an actor. He appeared in many movies with insignificant roles before making it big with AnuragKashyap’s Gangs of Wasseypur movies.
