‘‘I used to cry in frustration’’

Life is a struggle. No one has learnt this lesson better than Shaad Randhawa. Born to a film family (his maternal aunt being the legendary actress Mumtaz and the late Dara Singh being his paternal uncle), he was confident that movies would be a cakewalk. After years of auditions, he debuted with Woh Lamhe in 2006. The film fared well at the box-office, Shaad got noticed and even won a newcomer award. His next film, Awarapan, didn’t work at the box-office but it earned him good reviews.

Done with all the supporting roles, Shaad was on a high after bagging his first solo film, Dhoom Dhadaka. Unfortunately, the film bombed and his career nosedived. Suddenly no one wanted to work with him. “The rejection was awful,” he reminisces. “I withdrew into a shell. It was worse than my struggling phase. When you’re struggling, there’s at least some hope. But here, you get into a self-doubting mode. You also begin blaming your luck. It was a weird and dark space. After sitting at home for a good four years, I started dealing in diamonds. In retrospect, that was good or else I’d have gone insane.” However, he didn’t give up on films. “I met a lot of people, they were nice to me but I didn’t get any work. I auditioned for many films but didn’t get even one call. I was convinced there was something amiss.”

Shaad was brave enough not to surrender his dreams. He chose to return to where he had begun. The Bhatts who gave him a break in Woh Lamhe were his last resort. One day he visited Mahesh Bhatt who was sitting with writer Shagufta Rafique and director Mohit Suri. They were planning the cast of Aashiqui 2 and offered him a role. “Mahesh Bhatt saab, Mukeshji and Mohit are three people who I will be indebted to all my life. They were the first ones who gave me a break. If two out of 10 people know me today, it’s because of them. They’ve seen me grow. I consider them family.”

The blockbuster success of Aashiqui 2 gave Shaad’s life a push. “I’ve not been flooded with offers after Aashiqui 2 but now more people recognise me. “There’s a positivity, which comes in when a film does well. I have matured after the success of the film. I feel good to finally be part of a hit. Had the film bombed, I’d have packed up and left gracefully.
I wouldn’t have even asked for work anymore. It would’ve been depressing though.”

His friendship with Mohit Suri has been another constant in his life. The upcoming Ek Villain will be Shaad’s fourth film with the director. “I’ve known Mohit for around nine years now. We’re great friends. He tells me he wants me to be part of his films not because I’m his close friend but because I’m a good actor. Aashiqui 2 was an important film for him and he trusted me. And now with Ek Villain, our bond has become stronger.” He’s pretty high about the film. “Ek Villain has got everything. It’s a romantic film with a good dose of action and drama. It’s a mix of Murder, Awarapan and Aashiqui 2 actually. I’m playing a CBI officer who’s investigating a murder.”  He has also had a great time with his co-stars. “Sidharth Malhotra is a chilled out guy. Just the way Aditya Roy Kapur was. I’ve worked with Shraddha before and she’s professional to the core.”

Shaad is close to his aunt, yesteryears’ superstar Mumtaz. She’s been a friend and a guide to him throughout. “When I told her I wanted to become an actor, she told me it was the toughest thing in the world. She told me never to expect anything from her. She’d tell me stories of her heydays… how from a dancer she got a break in B-movies and then she became a star in A-projects. Every time I feel low, I call her up and she goes, ‘I told you so!’ She encourages me and at the same time is honest too. She tells me in which scene I was brilliant and where I was weak. She’s one of the reasons why I didn’t lose my sanity when I was out of work. Somewhere she had planted it in my head that it was not going be a bed of roses. I thank her for that.”

Shaad with Sidharth Malhotra, with aunt Mumtaz and with director Mohit Suri



The actor  reasons that being an industry kid is not enough. “Taras khake koi kaam nahi deta. The entry point is easy because people want to launch you as you are somebody’s son but after your debut you’re on your own. If you’re good, you last. There are many star kids who haven’t reached anywhere. And when I was not getting work,
I too started believing that I was not good enough. I lost my confidence.”  During the dark phase, if there was any bright spot, it was the support of his family. “My family knew that I was going through a depressing phase and they stood by me. The rejections led to mood swings but my parents and sister were caring enough to bear with me. They allowed me to do what I wanted to and gave me space. I used to cry in frustration. I felt helpless.”


His wife Pooja, who he was dating even before he made his debut, has been a pillar of support as well. With an impish smile he says, “She’s not from a film background. She has a construction business with her father. It’s been three blissful years of marriage. She’s witnessed my dark phase and stayed by my side throughout. I value her.” Like the diamonds he deals with, struggle too seems to have polished the diligent Shaad.