Mohit Malik on conquering his fears; the definition of success and how it involves his wife and more

Ajay Devgn, Aaman Devgan and Rasha Thadani starrer film 'Azaad' was released in theatres on 17th January. The actors received wide-spread acclaim and amongst them was the antagonist of the film Mohit Malik also making his big Bollywood debut. India Forums got into an exclusive conversation with him as he talked about his experience, fears, the transition from TV to films and a lot more.

Q: What's happening in your mind right now? How do you feel about your first film?

Mohit: "Yaar, bohot kuch chal raha hai. I’m excited, very excited. At the same time, I don’t know yaar, it’s my first film, so there’s a bit of fear. There’s always this imposter syndrome that actors feel, and I think I’m going through it too. It’s all mixed up, but I think once the film is released, everything will settle."

Q: Was there any specific moment on set when you felt something shifted for you as an actor?

Mohit: "Yes, I think it was during the first shot of the film. I remember Abhishek Sir’s excitement. He loved the shot and said a few things that stayed with me. For an actor, that validation is so important. I called my wife after the first shot and told her, ‘Aditi, I belong here. I want to be on film sets forever.’ That moment was a turning point."

Q: With everything happening, what’s one piece of advice you’d give your younger self?

Mohit: "Just have more self-belief, patience, and faith. Things take time, and you need to believe in yourself throughout the journey."

Q: Everyone talks about a film's success or failure in terms of numbers. Does that affect you?

Mohit: "Not really. My job is to bring honesty to the character I’m playing. The numbers? That’s the producer’s job. My focus is just to give my best and do what I’m asked to do with sincerity."

Q: Has your definition of success changed over the years?

Mohit: "Definitely. Earlier, success meant more money, houses, cars, investments, and savings. Now, for me, success is being at peace. Sitting on the bed with my wife, having a peaceful conversation, and sleeping soundly—that’s success for me. Peaceful sleep is priceless."

Watch the full interview here:

Q: Did you overcome any fears during this film journey as an actor?

Mohit: "Fears never fully go away; they fade but always linger. Self-doubt and insecurities are constant companions for an actor. However, I’ve grown more confident after this film. When I came to Bombay, I lacked confidence, but consistent work has helped me. My advice? Face your fears and do the work. Confidence doesn’t come overnight, but it builds as you tackle challenges."

Q: What’s one common misconception about actors you’d like to clear?

Mohit: "People think becoming an actor is easy and that we live a lavish life. It’s not true. Acting is one of the toughest jobs, just like any other demanding profession. Even after 19 years of experience, I feel I’ve only scratched the surface of this craft. There’s no end to learning or creativity."

Q: When you watch your film for the first time, will it be as an actor or as an audience member?

Mohit: "As an actor, for sure. I’ll probably pinpoint things like, ‘I could’ve done that better.’ Honestly, I might even close my eyes because watching myself is nerve-wracking. There’s so much that goes into filmmaking beyond acting—the costumes, the direction, the editing—it’s a team effort. I’ll be viewing it with all those elements in mind."

Q: Any final thoughts or message for your audience?

Mohit: "Thank you for all the love and support. For anyone chasing their dreams, just keep working and believing in yourself. It’s a long process, but it’s worth it. Let’s see how the film shapes up. Fingers crossed!"

The film is doing well and Mohit Malik is all set to step into the films after getting all the critical acclaim for his role.