Being Comfortable about Uncertainty
A Life lesson by Irfan
I enjoy listening to interviews of Bollywood actors/directors/writers who have achieved success independently in such a competitive field. These individuals offer valuable insights into life in general. The survivors/achievers in this industry are the ones who have better life lessons than Gurus of all kinds that we see on social media ☺️
Take, for instance, this 👉interview by Irfan.
Early in his career, he faced a setback when he was dropped from a significant project. He cried about this setback but instead of harbouring bitterness about it , he learnt from it.
"Experiencing failure early on was beneficial, as it taught me that uncertainty is a fundamental aspect of the career I’ve chosen. I should always be prepared for it."
Another life lesson reveals during the interview is that his father counselled him to learn a skill and become self reliant rather than pursuing degrees, employment and working for someone else
Irfan spent more than a decade in wilderness (1987 to 2000) before he shone in movies like Maqbool, Rog, etc and starting getting good projects.
And then unfortunately — fate intervened.
I view Bollywood as one of the most challenging industries, where success often hinges on factors beyond one’s control. Unlike many other industries, say Sports or Business , where hard work and success are closely linked, in Bollywood, luck plays a significant and a critical role. An average Indian youth would rather prepare for IAS / IIT as there is certainty in career rather than enter the uncertainty of Bollywood. (I myself would throw a grand tantrum if my kid declares that he would like to be a Bollywood star!)
A talented actor might receive only one opportunity and be side-lined for ever, while a less skilled actor might land multiple projects due to the right connections. Or a star can ride just on his/her good luck for a long time.
PS: That brings to mind an anecdote from my days in the corporate world. On a sales call, I encountered a publisher and inquired about opportunities for aspiring writers like myself. He grinned and remarked,
“In this industry, the crucial question isn’t whether you can write better than Chetan Bhagat, but whether you possess the same kind of luck.”
