Actor
Jim Sarbh
, known for his riveting performances in films like Neerja and Padmaavat, recently peeled back the curtain on the glitzy world of
Indian showbiz
. In an interview on Suchin Mehrotra’s The Streaming Show, the versatile actor shared candid insights about the industry's underbelly, advising young actors to master the art of
deception
.
Jim Sarbh's journey began in 2014, and with his second big-screen outing in Neerja, he catapulted into the limelight.
But behind the scenes, Sarbh grappled with the harsh realities of showbiz. "Don't get angry," he cautioned, reflecting on his early days. The industry's unpleasant surprises left him bewildered, hurt, and disappointed. Having also worked in Hollywood, Sarbh's frustration grew. "It made me very angry," he confessed.
Jim Sarbh, at the age of 36, revealed that he had found equilibrium. His advice to aspiring actors was to "lie, lie a lot." He acknowledged that while there was some honor in telling the truth, even if it appeared angry, the reality was that "no one gives a s**t." According to Sarbh, people preferred a more pleasant version of the truth, prompting him to adapt and navigate the industry with finesse.
Sarbh also shed light on the unequal treatment meted out to main actors versus side artists. "If I had to go back," he quipped, "I'd say, 'Listen, you weren't able to say what you wanted to say in a kinder way—just lie. Lie. Forget it. Go into a room, scream into a pillow…'"
In a mockingly positive tone, Sarbh imagined confronting a film producer: "I love that you somehow can't afford a car to take us back home even though you're paying us nothing at all, and the main actor drove up like this… I love that! I'm going to take the train."
Jim Sarbh was recently nominated in the Best Performance by an Actor category for his role in the SonyLIV web series Rocket Boys.
English (US) ·