Deepak Kalra

Biography:

Deepak Kalra, who shared the screen with Aditya Roy Kapur and Mrunal Thakur in the movie “Gumraah,” reflects on his roots in Delhi and his modest beginnings. Despite his young age of 28, he has carved a unique path for himself in Bollywood through projects like “Guilty Minds” (2022) and the recent release “Gumraah.” However, the journey hasn’t been a smooth one for this actor.

Looking back at the early days of his career, Deepak, who comes from a middle-class family in Delhi, shares, “It all began in 2007 when I performed at a cousin’s wedding without the assistance of a choreographer. My dance performance caught everyone’s attention, and people suggested that my mom should enroll me in reality shows like Boogie Woogie or Dance India Dance. However, for two years, I encountered various fraudsters because Delhi had its fair share of them. They would ask for an initial fee for introductions and then demand more money to enhance my portfolio and pictures, essentially deceiving me.”

Despite his father’s lack of support for his career choices, Deepak’s mother never had reservations. “My mother fought for me. She envisioned me becoming a star. She played a crucial role in shaping me into who I am today and sent me to Mumbai to pursue her dreams and mine,” the actor reveals. He began his journey as a junior artist, later transitioning into supporting roles, and is set to take the lead in an upcoming web series titled “Provider” and “Bajaao.”

Deepak’s foray into showbiz began with his participation in Dance Premier League, and he humorously recalls an incident where he playfully silenced superstar Salman Khan. “It became a sensation on every news channel,” he reminisces, adding, “That’s when a coordinator contacted my mother for a shoot in Saket for the movie ‘Rockstar,’ where I worked as a junior artist and earned Rs. 770 for the role. I still have that paycheck with me. My first paycheck, worth Rs. 500 from an advertisement, was a source of pride for me, and I proudly handed it to my mother as it marked my first self-earned income.”

Even after relocating to Mumbai, the path was not as smooth as he might have anticipated. Describing the challenges he faced as a newcomer in the city of dreams, Deepak shares, “I lived at a friend’s house in Mumbai, sleeping on the floor with just a single sheet. I had no proper living space and struggled to make ends meet in such an expensive city.”

However, as time passed, Deepak’s circumstances began to improve. He continues, “I began by teaching dance classes in Mumbai and auditioned for numerous roles, securing a few, including films like ‘Fan’ (2016) and ‘Ragini MMS Returns’ (2017). The proudest moment of my career was working with my inspiration, actor Shah Rukh Khan in ‘Fan.’ It’s a memory I will cherish forever.”

In his most recent film, “Gumraah,” Deepak Kalra appeared alongside Aditya Roy Kapur and Mrunal Thakur.