ARTICLE:when i survived.....

A page from the personal diary of Gurmeet Choudhary

One incident that continues to remain fresh in my memory is the day I landed in Mumbai. I have had a struggle as I do not belong to a filmi background. My father has served the army and when I told them what I intended to do; it wasn't that they did not support me but I was all alone in Mumbai. I had no money in my pocket and I had enrolled myself in an acting course for two-three months. The only help I had were my friends. I owe a lot to them. They helped me out during my struggle period.

When I had no money I could not even afford three square meals per day. I survived the whole day on a two-rupee biscuit packet. Every time I would eat them, I would promise myself I will work harder to afford proper meals. I will make myself much stronger. You know sometime you have that feeling deep within you that you have to prove yourself, it was what I used to feel everyday for those two months when I used to starve myself.

I remember the first time I landed on Mumbai station I touched the ground just like I do when I visit a temple. I knew it was my karma bhoomi where I had to make a mark for myself. I used to live alone but I had my friends for company. They used to go out and have fun while I used to stay back and practice all by myself. I still remember I used to have Rs 30 in my pocket and travelling from Colaba to Andheri would cost Rs 9. My friends had a bike and I would travel with them sometimes.

I always believed that when you launch a new kid acting doesn't always come naturally to him. It is a slow learning process. Therefore before Ramayana I decided to do small roles, a scene or two, an episode here and there. I prepared myself and developed as an actor. That was when I met Debina (Bonnerjee). She has played a major role in my life and has a definite hand in whatever I am today. She supported me like a family member during my testing times and stood by me. I owe a lot of my success to her.