Vijay Raaz, the actor known for his versatile performances in Bollywood hits like 'Monsoon Wedding' and 'Gangubai Kathiawadi', had a life before the arc lights that many may find surprising. He wasn't always the celebrated actor he is today; his journey began far from the sets of Bollywood, in the bustling lanes of Delhi.
Raaz initially aimed for a career in chartered accountancy and was studying B.Com at Pannalal Girdharlal Dayanand Anglo Vedic College, Delhi University. To support himself, he started working at the age of 18, training with a chartered accountant, a path his father had set for him. He learned accounting and considered it his profession. However, destiny had other plans.
In an interview, Raaz revealed that he also worked at a saree shop in Karol Bagh. Karol Bagh is a well-known shopping hub in Delhi, famous for its saree shops. He took on this part-time job alongside other odd jobs, reflecting a time when young people started working much earlier than they do today.
While he excelled in acting exams, his academic pursuits took a turn when he discovered theatre in his second year of college. His interest in studies waned, leading to him failing his final year graduation exam. In fact, he confessed to submitting a blank economics paper.
His parents were initially supportive of his hobby but were not happy when they found out he wanted to pursue acting as a profession. Despite initial disapproval from his family, Raaz followed his passion for acting. He made his Bollywood debut in 1999 with Mahesh Mathai's "Bhopal Express". He gained recognition for his role in Ram Gopal Varma's "Jungle". Since then, he has become a familiar face in the industry, with roles in movies like "Delhi Belly" and web series such as "Made In Heaven", "Sherni", "Murder In Mahim", and "Showtime". He is currently seen in Amazon MX Player's show "Jamnaapar Season 2".
Vijay Raaz's journey is a testament to the fact that success can come from unexpected beginnings. From working at a saree shop in Karol Bagh to becoming one of Bollywood's finest talents, his story is an inspiration to aspiring actors and anyone pursuing their dreams.
