Key Takeaways:

1. Patience is the key to surviving in the acting industry as artists often have to wait for opportunities and recognition.
2. The ability to connect with audiences through various mediums has become increasingly important due to the emergence of social media influencers.
3. The concept of 'Selective Alpha' where individuals choose the traits they wish to portray.

The Early Journey

Our influencer guest for today shares his journey from his Kashmiri roots to becoming one of the renowned faces in the cinema world. Born in Shagar, Kashmir, he moved to Bombay at the age of 6 and a half. Most of his growing-up years were spent in Mira Road, Bombay, and eventually dropped out of NM college to pursue a business venture at the young age of 16. His stint as the Indian Ambassador for the United Nations in 2013 was a significant turning point in his life.

Coping With Trauma

Discussing the events of the Exodus from Kashmir, he shares that although it was a traumatic phase, the impact was more profound on his elderly family members. While he admits to experiencing instances of violence, he believes the real heroes were his family members who braved these adversities and built a new life in a new city.

The Art of Acting

Being an actor isn't just about donning different roles; it's also mastering the art of transforming oneself as per the character's demands. Aspiring actors today face tough competition, not just from their peers in the industry but also from emerging content creators who've stolen the limelight with their popularity on social media.

Addressing the 'Alpha Male' trend in movies, our guest feels that trying to imitate these characters in real life may not be a wise idea. He brings up the concept of 'Selective Alpha,' in which individuals selectively choose traits to portray, believing that it makes them more appealing or even authoritative.

The Bigger Picture

A conversation about the larger than life portrayals in films like 'Bahubali' and 'Animal' brings about the conclusion that cinema is intended to cater to viewers' imaginative needs. These movies are unrealistic in their depictions of larger-than-life heroes, but they successfully captivate audiences' imagination, and this is precisely what cinema should do.

Struggles & Sacrifices in the Entertainment Industry

Patience is the name of the game in the acting world. The path of an actor is filled with a lot of waiting - waiting for the right script, waiting for shoots, waiting for box office results. As many unknown factors influence success, it's crucial to find inner strength during these waiting periods.

Love and Relationships

Delving into personal life, our guest shares his love story. He tells us about how he met his wife on a film set, their journey from friends to partners, and emphasizes that love doesn't need to be overtly displayed or proven; it just needs to be felt.

Future Plans & Projects

Looking ahead to 2024, he hopes to travel twice a year and include one biking trip in his itinerary. He also reveals that he is keen on partaking in an action movie as he always enjoyed the genre growing up.