Actor Aayush Sharma has shared insights into his formative years in Mumbai, highlighting the strong reaction from his father when he pursued a career in acting. He recounted a pivotal moment when he requested Rs 10 crore from his father for his Bollywood launch, only to receive a candid reply.
In a discussion with Cyrus Broacha, Aayush reflected on his initial days in Mumbai, explaining that he had initially concealed his aspirations from his family.
Relocating to Mumbai under the guise of furthering his studies, Aayush enrolled in a Bachelor of Management Studies program at Jai Hind College. He settled into a rented apartment in Bandra, hired a housekeeper, and persuaded his father to purchase a car for him.
During this time, he secretly pursued his passion for acting by joining a workshop. However, his academic attendance plummeted, prompting the college to contact his father in Himachal Pradesh.
“The college informed my father that my attendance was only 9 percent. He came to Mumbai, feeling quite embarrassed. My mother was also upset, stating, ‘What more could we have given you? We provided you with a home, a car, and now you’ve brought us shame. We told everyone you would succeed in Mumbai,’” Aayush recalled.
This confrontation pushed Aayush to disclose his true ambitions. “I told my dad about my desire to become an actor and showed him my photoshoot and a CD of my performances. It was a defining moment for me,” he shared.
However, reality hit hard shortly after. “My father said, ‘You’re not tall, you don’t have the physique, your voice isn’t appealing, and you’re not attractive. You have no personality. When you walk down the street, no one notices you. Has anyone ever told you that you could be an actor?’”
He continued, recounting his father’s discouraging words: “‘You’re nowhere near Bachchan sahab or Dharmendra ji. You will never be a hero. I wouldn’t even pay Rs 50 to see you on screen.’”
His father further emphasized his position, stating, “I’ve supported you financially enough. Pack your bags and return to Himachal to run a business.”
This led to a significant change when his father withdrew financial support, leaving Aayush with only a rented home, a car, and minimal savings. “At one point, I had just Rs 20 left,” he admitted.
During this challenging period, a friend came to his aid, offering him a job that paid Rs 50,000 per month. “When my friend learned about my situation, he transferred Rs 50,000 to my account the next morning,” Aayush recalled.
Later, Aayush approached his father with an audacious request to invest Rs 10 crore in his acting career. “I returned to Himachal and said, ‘Dad, I need Rs 10 crore to launch myself.’ That was the figure someone suggested to me.”
His father’s reaction was as direct as before. “He replied, ‘Son, have you ever seen anyone invest money in a lame horse? I might consider giving you Rs 10 crore as your father, but who will come to watch you?’”
Ultimately, it was Aayush’s grandfather who intervened, persuading his father to give Aayush another opportunity. “Fortunately, my grandfather told my dad that I was the first in our family trying to forge my own path. He suggested giving me a chance with a timeline, which led my father to resume financial support.”
Aayush Sharma eventually made his Bollywood debut with “Loveyatri” in 2018, produced by Salman Khan Films, and was last seen in “Ruslaan” in 2024.
Aayush is married to Arpita Khan, Salman Khan’s sister, and they have two children, Ahil and Ayat.
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