TOI:From professionals to Actors-Ravi

FROM PROFESSIONALS TO ACTORS

Talk of acting and the first word that springs to mind is unpredictability unlike the professional fields.But there are a chosen few who have gone beyond the conventional and made a foray into tinseltown

SPARSH SHARMA


Engineers and doctors usually tread the path of becoming professionals.But there are some others who follow their passion.Hotties Payal Rohatgi,Arzoo Govitrikar,Harshali Ziine and cool dude Ravi Dubey are four such celebs who gave up their respective conventional degrees and switched career paths to make a foray into tinseltown.
Payal Rohatgi,who has worked in several movies,is a computer engineer by qualification.This sultry actress has worked in flicks like Yeh Kya Ho Raha Hai,Plan,Police Force,Rakht,36 China Town,Corporate,Ugly Aur Pagli,Dhol and Dil Kabaddi.So what led her to make a foray into this field after her engineering degree I got bored of studies and the glamour industry looked and seemed more like my area of interest.It is my impulsive nature that made me take the plunge into this industry.My family was evidently surprised with this decision of mine since I come from a middle-class background and already held a professional degree in technical engineering, says the hottie from Lokhandwala.
Recalling her computer engineering days,she says,Like any girl from a traditional family,my parents too wanted me to get into something more fulfilling and I was pretty good at my studies,hence I chose to study engineering.It was fun while it lasted although I did tend to get bored of it slowly and it involved a lot of hard work with sleepless nights.The glamour world definitely looked more interesting and appealing to me. The initial struggling phase was not easy but it was not horribly tough either for her.It can get tricky and scary as you want to make it big in the industry and may be tempted to take everything that comes your way.I have made a few mistakes and taken up work because I was getting paid well.Now,I am more mature and know the right from wrong,I have learnt to say no to offers that are not substantial.My hard work and honesty have got me here and people recognise me today.It is what I have worked for and it gives me a high.Its been a tough but a fulfilling career and I feel it is only getting better with time, adds Rohatgi.
Ravi Dubey,who plays the protagonist Tej in the on-air soap Saas Bina Sasural,wanted to be an actor since the time he can remember.What led him to realise this latent desire was a failure in engineering despite being a good student.Honestly,it was quite a roller coaster ride.I felt like quite a misfit from day one.When I failed,I did not want to lose one entire year.After a lot of contemplation and praying,I got the determination to pursue this desire passionately.I am practicing Buddhism for the past seven years and my chants played a major role in turning this secular failure into something positive.I did not want to leave it midway.Eventually,I gave it all and got through, tells the electronics and telecom engineer.Like all struggling actors,Ravi initially went through a period of criticism,mockery,lack of funds,less or sometimes no work at all.I got rejected several times but,backed with prayers,I took it all in my stride.I saw it as a learning phase kept my belief intact.Without a severe struggle,one cannot truly relish victory.
The gorgeous Arzoo Govitrikar is an electronics and telecom engineer,who went into modeling following the footsteps of her equally beautiful elder sister Aditi.Arzoo kick-started her career with a Malayalam movie called Kakakuyll,which was directed by the famous Priyandarshan.Besides doing a cameo in Manmadhan,I also did Manasutho.In Bollywood,I have worked in Baghban,Lets Enjoy and Mere Baap Pehle Aap, informs the lovely lady.
It all started when she was doing her engineering in Pune.I saw Aditi and the glamour really attracted me.I was drawn to this field instantaneously.However,my father said that I have to complete my education first.So I finished my degree and ventured into this career, reminisces the pretty babe.But she too had to struggle initially.At the outset,I thought I was really lucky but then it was difficult.Luck plays an important role in an actors life.I used to go for auditions every single day,meet people and workout.I look forward to working with big banners in the future, adds Arzoo.
Harshali Ziine has been working in the Hindi and Marathi film industries.She comes from a typical middle-class Maharashtrian family and always aspired to become an actress.However,she did not have it easy.She did her hotel management and worked in UAE for a few years before she had enough money to survive in the industry as a newcomer.
I knew my family would not support me.So I chose to complete my education,stand on my own feet and then get into acting.That is when I decided to do hotel management and landed in Ahmedabad. After a three-year degree course,she was selected as a management trainee to work in a multi-cuisine chain of restaurants in UAE.I am very happy and proud of myself now that I could do this on my own.I feel very blessed that I met the right people at the right time,who helped me reach where I am today.There is a long way to go, says the glam gal,who stays in Lokhandwala.

factoid


Following ones passion can be a tricky business.But at the end of the day,one should be satisfied with what one is doing.Acting involves a lot of hard work and dedication,not forgetting the rejection that is a part and parcel.Luck also plays an important role in an actors life.