From Akshay Kumar’s waiter days to Parineeti Chopra’s triple honours degree; Ten Bollywood stars and their unexpected careers before fame

Every actor’s journey to stardom is different; some are born into film families, while others carve their way up from the ground. Before the flashing cameras and red carpets, many of Bollywood’s biggest stars held surprising day jobs, proving that hard work and perseverance often shine brighter than luck. Here are 10 names and what they did before entering B-Town.

Ranveer Singh

Long before he became one of Bollywood’s most dynamic stars, Ranveer Singh graduated from India(BHARAT)na University, Bloomington. Upon returning to India(BHARAT), he briefly worked as a copywriter at Ogilvy & Mather, a well-known advertising agency. His big break came when he bagged the Yash Raj Films’ Band Baaja Baaraat, and the rest, as they say, is cinematic history.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui

Before ruling the big screen with his intense performances, Nawazuddin Siddiqui worked as a chemist in Vadodara for a year. His interest soon shifted to the arts, and he enrolled at the National School of Drama (NSD), a decision that transformed his life and brought his natural talent to the forefront.

Akshay Kumar

Akshay Kumar’s journey could inspire a movie of its own. Before becoming one of Bollywood’s highest-paid stars, he worked as a waiter, chef, jewellery seller, and martial arts trainer. He even assisted photographer Jayesh Sheth and worked as a background dancer before bagging his debut role.

Taapsee Pannu

A software engineer by qualification, Taapsee Pannu graduated from Guru Tegh Bahadur Institute of Technology. She even developed an app called FontSwap. Her career took a turn when she was selected as a model for Channel V’s Get Gorgeous, leading her into commercials, and ultimately, films.

Amitabh Bachchan

Before becoming the ‘Shahenshah’ of Bollywood, Amitabh Bachchan faced rejection from All India(BHARAT) Radio due to his voice. Ironically, it was that same baritone that later became his trademark. He started his professional journey as a business executive at Bird & Co. in Calcutta and later dabbled in theatre before debuting as a voice actor in Bhuvan Shome (1969).

Parineeti Chopra

Parineeti Chopra’s educational background is impressive; she holds a triple honours degree in Business, Finance, and Economics. She began her career as a public relations consultant at Yash Raj Films, where she eventually caught the eye of producers and made her acting debut in Ladies vs Ricky Bahl.

Boman Irani

Boman Irani’s story is one of grit and persistence. He started his career as a waiter and room service attendant at the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower. Later, he managed his mother’s bakery and namkeen shop. His flair for creativity led him into photography, and eventually, acting — a move that paid off tremendously.

Sayani Gupta

Before becoming a known face in OTT and films, Sayani Gupta worked at an infrastructure research firm in marketing and sales. Her passion for acting led her to the Film and Television Institute of India(BHARAT) (FTII), Pune, where she honed her craft and transitioned into the film industry.

Randeep Hooda

Randeep Hooda’s path to acting was filled with odd jobs. While studying in Australia, he worked at a car wash and as a waiter at a Chinese restaurant. Later, he joined the marketing team of an airline company before being cast in Monsoon Wedding, marking the beginning of his film career.

Highlights

1. Ranveer Singh once worked as a copywriter at Ogilvy before entering Bollywood.
2. Akshay Kumar did multiple jobs, from waiter to martial arts trainer, before acting.
3. Parineeti Chopra holds a triple honours degree in Business, Finance, and Economics.