My grandfather used to tell me "Life is about the journey and not the destination." And these words have always stayed with me through thick and thin.
As I look back at the years I've spent in the labyrinth of film and advertising, I feel I've had just one feeling that has remained constant. It's the feeling of joy and fulfillment! The joy of being lucky to be doing what I truly love and enjoy and the fulfillment of having a great ride so far!
And here I am, living it up and looking forward to the tomorrow that brings with it a whole new world of possibilities and achievement.
I was rejected for a Coke commercial once and I felt quite down and out because I was just starting out as a model-actor back then. But just when the going seemed tougher than I would have liked, I was reminded of my grandfather's words that had left an indelible imprint on me as a child - Focus on the journey and not the destination!
As his voice beckoned me to pick up the pieces and start afresh, I started focusing on improving myself as a professional, and more importantly, as a person. The smile on my face came back and I started enjoying the journey...one step at a time!
Sure enough, when I least expected, in less than a year, I got selected for a Pepsi TVC as the main character and that too with Mr. Shah Rukh Khan! And the clincher was that I was required to not have endorsed any other soft drink brand before! So my past failure became the cause of my success! And the rest, as they say, is history.
So here I am, living it up, focusing on improving myself with each passing day. And unaffected by the winds of adversity or uncertainty. I move on with a song on my lips and a smile on my face...that, I feel, is the way to live with joy!