Meet actor who is now a household name, once worked as a salesman, his name is…

Each day, hundreds of people come to Mumbai with the hope and dream of making it big on the silver screen. While some come with contacts, others come with wealth, but a few rare ones come with sheer belief and unshakeable conviction, and the desire to prove themselves. While what we see onscreen is the glitzy and glamorous side of Bollywood, however, when the curtain falls, there is more than what meets the eye. From facing rejection, self-doubt, to an elongated period of waiting, there are a lot of struggles that come with being a part of this industry.

Talking about the highs and lows in an actor’s journey, there is one such tale of a now-household name on Indian television.  Famously known for his classic role of a nosy reporter in India’s favourite sitcom, this actor had big ambitions and no godfather.

The person we are talking about is no other than Shyam Pathak Aka ‘Popatlal’ From ‘Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah’. Shyam started his journey in his childhood, when his passion for acting became more intense with every passing year. But instead of getting encouragement, he was always ridiculed and asked to focus on studies and find a ‘real job’ whenever he expressed his interest in acting. With immense pressure from family, he had to pursue a Chartered Accountancy course and even began his articleship.

To support his financial expenses, he also had to do a few odd jobs while he was studying for his higher education. Since Shyam had good communication skills, he did a job as a salesman in a clothing shop where he would help customers politely, while secretly hiding from classmates who chanced to drop by.

To fulfill his mother’s dream, he completed his 5 years of college and even cleared his Chartered Accountancy exams and started his articleship. But despite all this, he didn’t give up on his childhood dream of acting. . Between doing audits for an IT firm and wanting to pursue his dreams, he always wanted to visit NCPA (National Centre for Performing Art) and one day, while travelling, he went to visit the place.

He enrolled in a 15-day theatre workshop and shelled out a meager Rs 25 as subscription money that was hard to come by. His poor finances did not deter him from imbibing knowledge. Weekends were spent receiving exposure to plays, at times watching from the backstage with the directors’ permission, just to feel a part of the world he yearned to join.

The turning point came when he applied to the National School of Drama (NSD). He underwent several rounds of selection, after which he was called to Delhi for a final workshop. That is where his name appeared on the selected students’ list for the first time. From that point onward, everything changed.

He continued working in productions such as Sonpari and Jasuben Jayantilaal Joshi Ki Joint Family, eventually gaining some stability. However, real success materialized in 2008 with his casting on Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. His work on Patrakar Popatlal, with his iconic line of “Duniya Hila Dunga”, made him an endearing presence in Indian families.

Behind the wit and impeccable acting skills is a tale of persistent hard work, silent sacrifices, and an idea that wouldn’t let go. From seeling clothes to  becoming the best-known face on Indian television, Shyam’s journey is a proof that one can achieve their dream, if they work enough for it.

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