Actor Abhijeet Sinha is active in TV, movies and web series. Abhijit Sinha, who has been struggling to make his mark in the industry for the past decade, is unique in his journey of quitting a good corporate job for his passion for acting, says Abhijit, who is in the industry. Having a middle class family and family background. I could work to fulfill my passion only after fulfilling my responsibilities, that’s why I entered the industry at the age of 36. I am very late, so I have to work harder. To stay in the race, you have to run twice as fast. Here is Urmila’s conversation with Kori…
What is your background?
I was born and brought up in Patna, Bihar. After graduation, I moved to Nagpur, Maharashtra to do my MBA. After education worked in corporate sector for 12 years. After that I quit my job and studied acting at Barry John Acting School. Nadira then joined Zaheer Babbar in a joint drama. From there started theater and then started dabbling in TV, movies and short films.
How did you get into acting while working a corporate job?
Interest in acting did not come suddenly. The hobby was there since college days, but we didn’t get that much exposure in Patna. We didn’t even know where the theater was. There was no internet in those days. It is not mentioned much in the newspapers either. Our home culture was not like that either. My father was a teacher. Mother used to work in a bank. Our service class family circle was limited. I am talking about 1998. A middle class family has a fixed life of study, then job and then marriage and children. That’s what I did, but only after everything was set up. With my own house, a child and a good job in Mumbai, I felt it was the right time to pursue my passion. After that I did acting course.
How supportive was your wife in this decision?
I will give credit to my wife. Whatever my achievements are today. My wife has a big part in this. She also works in the corporate sector. still does. He said that you should follow your passion if you feel that this is what you want to do and you can achieve something in it. I will take care of the house and everything. It’s been ten years today. My struggle in acting still continues, but his support is constant.
When did you get your first chance?
There was a serial on TV called Fear Files. In it, they wanted a non-actor to play the role of a naval officer, whom no one knows and who looks like an army officer. That was my first role and after that I did small roles on TV. Once again linked with the popular TV show Crime Patrol. I am a part of more than 150 episodes out there. ‘Savdhan India’ also did. I think all crimes are shown on TV. I have done almost everything. I did almost every crime show from 2014 to 2019. The film Invisible came out in 2018, from which I made my debut in films. He then went on to be a part of the films Jungli, Chup, Hotel, Azam, Purvanchal Files, Tumse Na Ho Payega, Kaala. I was also a part of the Inside Edge web series. A web series called ‘Coach Sir’ was made on Bihar hockey coach Harinder Singh, I also worked in it, but it never aired. is in legal trouble. Dehati Boy will be on Amazon Prime Video.
How much have you benefited from entering the OTT space?
There is no difference as an actor. Even there only those who have good experience in dramas or films get chance in lead. Yes, it’s a good thing that dependence on theaters is over. So new people are also daring to make films. Films are also starting to be made in small states and local actors are getting opportunities. It is expected to be released due to OTT.
Apart from acting, are you involved in any other genre of films?
I am also active as a script writer since 2017. Has written and directed more than 12 short films. I also write songs. I have just completed one of my web series. Apart from this I am also active as a book and anthologist and voice over artist.
Do you ever get good roles?
This has happened to me many times. Let me tell you that Beyhadh used to be a serial. With Jennifer Winget. There was a scene where Kushal Punjabi kills a policeman. Jennifer kills the police officer. That track became a huge hit. I was a policeman. Then I was called to make a deal that we would give this role to the show for six months. He wanted to bring that character back. The next day when I reached the office, I found out that the casting director had left the show last night and her assistant was now handling the show and had given the role to her boyfriend in my place. This has happened to me many times in movies too. A casting agency selects you after an audition and blocks your dates for shooting, and then you find out that a familiar face has landed the role on the spot. You blocked out the dates for that project, so you didn’t take on any other work. Well, this must have happened to every outsider. I’m not alone. Being treated like a stepmother by casting agencies and the industry.
How much connection do you still have with Bihar?
My house is still in Kankarbagh, Bihar. My parents keep coming and going. My in-laws and in-laws live in Gola Road, Patna, so we visit once or twice a year. Well, not only the state of Bihar, but also its people have a special attachment. Efforts are being made to work with the people of Bihar and UP. Even if he doesn’t pay or pays less. At least I can contribute my efforts to bring forward the language of Bihar and its people.