Veteran actor and director Jugal Hansraj recently opened up about his remarkable yet challenging journey in the Hindi film industry, tracing his path from a beloved child star to navigating the turbulent waters of adult roles.
From Masoom to Adult Debut: A Promising Start Meets Reality
Hansraj began his career as a child artist in Shekhar Kapur's iconic 1983 film Masoom, a role that etched his face in the hearts of audiences. He fondly recalled his early days, but the transition to adult roles proved to be a formidable challenge. His debut as an adult lead came in the 1994 film Aa Gale Lag Jaa.
However, this promising start was followed by a severe and prolonged work drought. Speaking candidly, Hansraj revealed a recurring pattern in his career: "This has been constant in my career—there would be a commitment, but later the film would get shelved." He mentioned this happened even with major producers of that era.
The actor admitted to being heartbroken in his younger years but chose not to harbor anger. "I couldn't get angry because nobody was doing it on purpose. The circumstances were beyond anyone's control. Then what can you do? You just move on," he stated, highlighting the unpredictable nature of filmmaking.
Navigating the Lows: The Pillar of Family Support
During these difficult phases, Hansraj leaned heavily on his support system. He credited his family—his parents and older brother—and his close friends for providing constant encouragement. "If you have a good support system and a level head, it helps—otherwise, it can affect you," he reflected.
He shared a philosophical outlook on handling success and failure, a wisdom gained from experience. "Too much success can affect you, and too much failure can also affect you. I think it's best to take both with a pinch of salt, as part of life," Hansraj advised.
The Mohabbatein Breakthrough and Beyond
Perseverance finally paid off with a major career breakthrough. Jugal Hansraj's role in Aditya Chopra's 2000 blockbuster Mohabbatein, starring alongside Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan, catapulted him back into the limelight.
This success opened new doors, leading to notable performances in several popular films:
- Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... (2001)
- Salaam Namaste (2005)
- Aaja Nachle (2007)
He later played the lead in Pyaar Impossible! (2010). Hansraj also showcased his versatility by voicing and directing the animated feature Roadside Romeo (2008), a project that earned the prestigious National Award.
His journey stands as a testament to resilience in the face of Bollywood's uncertainties, marking the evolution of a child star into a multifaceted artist who weathered rejection to carve his own niche.
