A page from the personal diary of Neha Mehta I was studying History Honors from Delhi aiming to become an IAS officer when I entered the glam world. This was an unanticipated career choice. Neither my parents nor I expected that I would venture into this field. I met a famous photographer from Delhi who used to shoot print ads for a leading magazine. He suggested that I become a model and I said “yes”. It was something that I had never thought before but it sounded exciting and I went for it. I continued my studies along with modelling. One day I went to meet my sister at her hostel where the shooting of a film titled Kshitij was on. There was a crisis in the shoot. The protagonist of the film had suddenly walked out of the shoot and the crew was desperately looking for a replacement. They spotted me and asked me to do that role and I did it. But the film was never released. While shooting for this film I came across a guy named Aniket and he became a good friend of mine. He advised me that if I want to go ahead with my acting career I would have to shift base to Mumbai. I decided to come to Mumbai. When I informed my parents about my decision they freaked out. Initially they thought I was kidding. Every one in my family including me has a strong academic career. So my parents did not want me to pursue a career in acting. Coming to Mumbai to become an actress sounded a crazy and a filmy idea to them. They tried their best to change my mind but I stood firm. And much against their support I chose to leave for Mumbai. This was a city where I knew no one except a solitary friend who lived there. I found her number in my old telephone diary. I called her up but much to my disappointment she had shifted to Panvel. Then, I called up Aniket and he agreed to help me out with finding an accommodation and work in Mumbai. I packed my bags and left for Mumbai. Aniket proved to be a great help. Initially it was very difficult for me as I was brought up in a very protected and pampered environment. I acted in a Telugu film followed by a couple of ads. Later, I bagged a lead role in Ram Gopal Verma’s D Company. I was finalised and even did the photo shoot when I backed out as I was not being paid anything. They were not wrong in not paying me as I was getting a big break. But I decided not to do the film as I needed money to sustain myself in Mumbai. That is when I got a role in the serial Des Mein Nikla Hoga Chand. I did that show and since then I have been acting in TV serials. Two of my serials are releasing soon. Even after weeks of being in Mumbai, my mom assumed that I would return home failing to survive the tough life of Mumbai. As months passed by and I succeeded in doing what I desired, they developed faith in me. Today they have realised that I know what I am doing and they are completely fine with my career.