Meet actor who romanced Aishwarya Rai, worked with Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, then lost all his money, cleaned toilets, now works as…, he is…

In case you were watching South Indian cinema within the slack ’90s, chances are you swooned over Abbas. Debuting in Kadhal Desam (1996), the actor mercurial rose to popularity with hits treasure VIP, Pooveli, Jeans, Padayappa, and Kandukondain Kandukondain. With his chocolate-boy enchantment and quiet depth, Abbas grew to grow to be a pan-India crush.

However the dream didn’t closing lengthy

After a string of flops within the early 2000s, the actor, once flooded with offers, used to be quickly relegated to supporting roles and blink-and-omit cameos. Minnale (2001) gave the highlight to R. Madhavan. And by the mid-2000s, Abbas had exited the alternate altogether.

Earlier than he grew to grow to be a superstar, Abbas had already battled his demons. In an emotional interview with Rednool, he recalled a traumatic turning point in his childhood. “Trusty by intention of my teenage years, I went by intention of a tumultuous duration the put I contemplated taking my delight in lifestyles after failing the tenth grade. The departure of my girlfriend on the time intensified those tips,” he said.

One moment of empathy changed his destiny. As he regarded as stepping in entrance of a automobile, Abbas paused. “Even in my darkest moment, I chanced on myself brooding relating to the nicely-being of one other person.” That single conception saved him.

From the silver hide to survival jobs

Abbas made a failed Bollywood debut with Ansh: The Lethal Part and his occupation nosedived. He chanced on himself broke, disillusioned, and quiet from his craft.

“About a of my motion images faced failure, leaving me financially destitute and unable to present you with the cash for even requirements treasure hire or cigarettes,” he published. He sought support from producer RB Choudary and landed a job in Pooveli, but the spark used to be long gone. “I wasn’t enjoying my work.”

In the wreck, he left India, settling in New Zealand — and started rebuilding lifestyles from scratch. “I worked as a motorcycle mechanic and drove taxis,” he said, describing it as survival, no longer shame.

Existence in a New Land

Removed from movie devices, Abbas’s actuality used to be straightforward: construction net sites, public restrooms, and unrecognised stardom. “Other folks there would wonder if they've seen me somewhere… I'd be treasure, ‘Yes, I serve getting that,’” he shared. When he once almost at this time admitted he used to be that Abbas, reactions ranged from skittish to quiet.

He took on any work he may receive — including showing in a loo cleaner ad. “That helped me lunge my household,” he said. The glitz used to be long gone, but dignity remained.

Trusty by intention of the pandemic, Abbas did something he rarely does: logged in. “While residing in New Zealand, I utilised Zoom calls to glue with followers. I supposed to serve those in want,” he outlined. His checklist, undoubtedly one of stardom, loss, and quiet perseverance, resonated with those struggling in silence.

Abbas never grew to grow to be a blockbuster hero. However in all probability his most inviting role used to be the one off-hide, that of a one that dared to begin up again.