For a Delhi boy who had no ambition to become an actor, Saqib Saleem has come a long way.
Star of films like Bombay Talkies and Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge, Saqib’s entry into Bollywood sounded straight out of a movie plot. Coming from a successful business family in Delhi, he came to Mumbai following his lady love.
“My then girlfriend was in Mumbai and she said that if you love me you will move to Mumbai. I was a lukka Delhi boy so I came after her and she broke up with me just after three months. I didn’t know what to do after that as I had told my parents I was going to Mumbai to do something with my life.”
In the nine years that he’s been part of the movie business, Saqib has done eight movies which got him appreciation from audience and critics both.
With his latest web series for ZEE5 called Rangbaaz, he’s impressed everyone with his nuanced performance. Playing a known Gangster from 90’s Shiv Prakash Shukla, Saqib says this has been his most difficult but also most satisfying role so far. "To play a character who is so layered and so complex, I had to be on my toes all the time. I had to work really hard, but I was compelled to work hard – because I don't want people to just recognise me, I want them to like me.”
Saqib Saleem spoke to Punam Sharrma of Connected to India about Rangbaaz, his family, his love for Mumbai, how as an actor he wants to have a body of work that is remembered for years to come by the audiences and future actors.
