Actor Gaurav Singh, who was recently seen in TVF’s Pehla Rang, reflects on his journey as an actor and the life lessons he has picked up along the way. He speaks about patience, self-belief, kindness and the importance of staying true to oneself, even when life doesn’t go as planned.
Talking about a personal quality he has consciously tried to develop over the years, Gaurav says patience has been one of his biggest learnings. “I think I’ve become more patient with time. As an actor, you put in a lot of hard work, but you don’t always know when things will fall into place. I’ve realised that while I cannot control every outcome, I can certainly control the effort I put in and the way I deal with situations. I’m learning to trust the process rather than constantly worry about the outcome,” he shares.
The actor believes that professional setbacks should not determine how one sees oneself. Reflecting on the difficult phases of his career, he adds, “Those experiences taught me that your profession is a part of your identity, but it shouldn’t define your entire self-worth. I’ve learned to keep improving my craft, explore different opportunities and find the courage to begin again. Sometimes, moving forward starts with accepting where you are in life.”
With the festive season bringing its own message of positivity, Gaurav also talks about the importance of being kind to people. “I feel we have become so caught up in success, competition and proving ourselves that we sometimes forget the value of a little kindness. You never know what someone else might be going through. For me, the way you treat people, especially when you have nothing to gain from them, says a lot about the person you are,” he says.
His work as an actor has also helped him understand people and their behaviour better. “As an actor, you realise that very few people see themselves as the villain of their own story. Everyone has their own reasons, insecurities and circumstances that influence their actions,” he explains.
“Understanding that doesn’t justify someone’s wrongdoings, but it does help you understand human behaviour better. It has taught me to observe people without rushing to judge them,” he adds.
For Gaurav, ambition is important, but it should never come at the cost of personal values. He believes success holds greater meaning when it doesn’t require a person to compromise on the things they stand for. “I want to grow as an actor and achieve bigger things, but I also want to look back at my journey without feeling that I compromised who I am to get there. Staying grounded, being grateful and treating people with respect are things I never want success to take away from me,” he says.
Looking back at his journey, the actor admits that learning to believe in himself through uncertain times has been one of his biggest challenges. “An acting career comes with uncertainty, rejection and phases when you start questioning your choices. The real battle is not allowing those experiences to take away your belief in yourself. I wouldn’t say I’ve won it completely because it’s an ongoing journey, but I’ve learnt to keep moving forward without losing myself along the way."
