Photo credit: www.news18.com
Last Updated: October 31, 2024, 03:48 IST
Despite his rise to prominence from his role in the 1998 cult classic, Saurabh Shukla revealed he nearly stepped away from acting.
Saurabh Shukla, widely recognized for his iconic portrayal of Kallu Mama in Ram Gopal Varma’s film Satya, has recently shared insights into a lesser-known chapter of his career. Although the film brought him significant recognition, Shukla admitted that he contemplated leaving the acting profession. In a candid discussion with Pinkvilla, he elaborated on how the acclaim associated with Satya did not lead to the anticipated job offers or financial rewards, leaving him feeling disheartened.
In the aftermath of Satya, Shukla found himself dedicating extensive time to his writing endeavors rather than seeking new acting opportunities. He reflected, “For about six years, I would tell those around me, ‘I’m not an actor, I’m a writer.’ The roles I was being offered simply did not excite me,” highlighting his disinterest in acting during that time.
Although Satya significantly elevated his and co-star Manoj Bajpayee’s profiles, Shukla regarded this period as merely an “illusion of stardom.” He humorously pointed out the discrepancy between his expectations and reality, stating, “The money you think you should earn post a successful film doesn’t always materialize.”
Reflecting on his experience with Satya, Shukla fondly described it as a unique contribution to cinema. “Movies like Satya are rare; characters like Kallu Mama seldom come along,” he noted. The film, which is a key part of Varma’s celebrated Gangster Trilogy, is renowned for its raw depiction of Mumbai’s criminal underbelly. Co-written by Shukla and Anurag Kashyap, it featured performances from JD Chakravarthy, Urmila Matondkar, and Bajpayee, all of whom played critical roles in the narrative.
Source
www.news18.com