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Meet actor who once used to sell bread for a living, faced several rejections, became a star with one movie, he is..., the movie was...
While Bollywood celebrates its biggest stars, there are names like Pavan Malhotra, whose career quietly speaks volumes. Known for his powerful performances in films like Black Friday, Delhi 6, and Bhag Milkha Bhag, the actor turned 66 today—but his success was hard-earned.
Before becoming a respected name in Indian cinema, Malhotra had a long road paved with rejections, delayed payments, and erased roles. Yet, he never gave up—and never took a single rupee from his family.
In a candid interview with Rediff, Malhotra revealed how rough his early days were. He said, 'I worked as an assistant on the show 'Yeh Jo Zindagi Hai.' The pay was barely enough. I struggled, but never once asked my father for money,' he recalled.
To survive, he took on multiple odd jobs, like working at a bread factory, sold leftover breads, fed cattles.
His hustle wasn't glamorous, but it laid the foundation for a work ethic that would eventually bring him national recognition. The multiple rejections that he faced
Malhotra faced multiple rejections from top banners like Yash Raj Films and filmmakers like Subhash Ghai. However, years later, the same production houses welcomed him in iconic roles: Bade Bhai in Badmaash Company (YRF)
Ganga Ram in Pardes (Subhash Ghai)
He attributes his perseverance to valuable advice from Amrish Puri, which changed his mindset and gave him the strength to keep moving. The gamechanger: Nukkad
His big break came in 1986 with the cult-classic Doordarshan show Nukkad, where he played the beloved character Hari. The show made him a household name and opened the floodgates to other acting opportunities.
He went on to appear in acclaimed TV shows such as CID, Aahat, Lagi Tujhse Lagan, and Khidki—alongside a strong filmography including: City of Jiy, Shaitan, OMG 2, 72 Hoorain, Don, Jab We Met. The legacy continues
Today, Pavan Malhotra stands tall among cinema's most dependable performers. His story isn't one of overnight fame—but of quiet resilience, delayed applause, and a career built on consistency, not hype.
