Actor Nakkul Mehta has reflected on his unconventional journey into acting, revealing that his career began not in television but in the South Indian film industry. In an exclusive conversation with India Today, Mehta shared that his first project was a Telugu film that never released, a phase he describes as challenging and isolating due to language barriers and lack of support.
Recalling that period, Mehta spoke about witnessing the early rise of Shreya Saran, whose career trajectory left a lasting impression on him. While she found early and sustained success and has completed 25 years in the industry, Mehta took a more winding path—returning to theatre, working in advertising, and eventually finding his footing in television.
He admitted that his decision to become an actor was not driven by a strong sense of purpose initially, but rather by a natural inclination toward entertaining people. It was through difficult experiences and time spent on sets that he discovered his true love for the craft, particularly the moments between “action” and “cut” when a scene comes together.
Today, Mehta says his understanding of success has changed significantly. Rather than measuring achievement through ratings or box office numbers, he values personal milestones—days when he feels he delivered his best performance. He believes having two or three such fulfilling days on a project now defines success for him.
Speaking about reinvention, Mehta prefers to see his journey as one of continuous learning rather than transformation. He cited Shreya Saran as a major inspiration, noting her ability to remain curious and driven despite decades of commercial success. Comparing her consistency to sporting legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, Mehta emphasised the importance of hunger, discipline and humility over external validation.
For the actor, retaining the spirit to learn, improve and stay passionate matters more than fame or public approval. “If I can keep that hunger alive,” he said, “I would feel I’ve done well.”
