MUMBAI: Sharad Kelkar, an actor, has set the bar high when it comes to diversifying into other forms of entertainment. The actor, a true professional, has appeared in regional films, Bollywood, television, and online series, and is a well-known voice actor. However, this is the present, after over two decades of work in the showbiz sector, where things shift every Friday. The actor reflects on that one event that gave his life tremendous focus as he celebrates his birthday. He first obtained a position with a major production company, but on the same day, he lost the chance.

(Also read: Sharad Kelkar's 'work culture shock' moment with Sanjay Leela Bhansali)

In 2004, Sharad began his acting career with television programs. As he gained recognition, he was offered roles in movies. Before any of this, the actor had to deal with the heartache of being replaced on a show in 2003.

Sharad, 44, describes the incident in an interview since he can still clearly recall it. He recalled, “I was in a struggling phase for almost two and a half, three years. When I landed my first show in 2003, I was very excited to be working with a big production house for a serial and going on set and seeing people who you must have seen on television and now you are working with them. It was pretty new and I didn’t know the first thing about acting. I can now say that I was pretty bad but you don’t know how you are acting when you doing it. When my scene came, the director gave 30-40 takes and I couldn’t perform.”

He continues, “I was really helpless. I used to stammer and I couldn’t say dialogues and by the night he said ‘let’s replace him’ and I was kicked out of the show and I felt very bad and sad that after so ling I got a good show and I lost it.”

Sharad was never one to allow anything to get to him, handled things with grace, and used the pain to grow his career. He speaks of the journey with a positive tone, “Now that I think of it, that was the turning point of my life and made me realise that nothing comes easily in life, work hard and think seriously about what you want to do. That is the motivation I got to put in a lot of hard work and continuous effort and still, I am trying to do that.”

The actor appeared on numerous television programs, developed a recognizable persona, and started acting in movies. Although he appeared in a few movies, including Hulchul and 1920: Evil Returns, he gained more notoriety for his part in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 2013 film Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela.

Since he dubbed the Hindi versions of the Baahubali franchise and Adipurush and Nani's characters in Dasara, Sharad has earned a reputation as the Hindi voice of Telugu star Prabhas. He has also provided the dubbing for various Hollywood movies, including Mad Max: Fury Road and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. In addition to being well-known for his lead roles in Telugu and Tamil films, the actor is also well-known in the Marathi film industry.

(Also read: Sharad Kelkar lends his voice for Amrit Manthan leap)

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Credit- The Indian Express