Vikrant Massey's Traumatic First Day: Director's Shout Made Him Cry Before 100 People
Vikrant Massey, the acclaimed Bollywood actor, has opened up about a deeply humiliating experience from his early days in the entertainment industry. At just 16 years old, during his first day facing the camera, a director's harsh words left him in tears in front of approximately 100 people on set.
From Barista to Actor: A Journey Born of Necessity
Massey's acting career began not from childhood dreams but from financial necessity. While working as a barista at a Mumbai restaurant to pay for his education, a television producer spotted him and offered him the lead role in a show. Despite juggling two jobs and studies with 16-hour workdays, the young Massey eagerly accepted the opportunity.
"I always wanted to be an actor, but obviously no 16 year old wants to be an actor. I thought I'll finish my graduation, and then I will go to NSD or FTII and then maybe, when I am 24-25, I'll act professionally," Massey recalled in an interview with Republic.
The actor admits he was completely raw and untrained when he first faced the camera, primarily motivated by the fee that could support his education. "I still remember the date, it was December 19, 2024. Prior to that, I was working as a barista. I did that job because I had to support my own education," he shared.
The Humiliating Incident That Left Him in Tears
The experience turned traumatic when the director, described as a very experienced filmmaker of that time, lost patience with the young actor's performance. "I was horrible at what I was doing... I remember very, very clearly my director yelled at me and I started crying. I was so naive," Massey revealed.
The situation escalated when the director used the microphone to shout at him, getting personal with his criticism. "He got personal. He said a few things... I remember me breaking down. I started crying because I felt so humiliated," the actor recounted, emphasizing that this happened in front of about 100 people on the Madh Island studio set.
The show's producer, who had originally offered Massey the role, tried to console the teenager afterward. "The producer of the show came to me and I just said one thing to her, 'yaar sabke samne aisa kyu bola?' And that was it. I took it on the chin," he said, demonstrating his resilient nature even at that young age.
Apology and Lasting Impact
To his credit, the director approached Massey that same evening to apologize. "He was generous enough. That very evening, he came up to me and he said, 'I'm really sorry and I shouldn't have spoken to you that way,'" Massey acknowledged.
However, the actor admitted the experience left a lasting impression. "But that one moment, the first day of shoot, you're yelled at in front of 100 people... I tend to forgive, but I don't forget." Despite this, Massey holds no grudges, stating the experience wasn't severe enough to seek payback.
Breaking Barriers: From Television to Films
Massey also addressed the challenges he faced transitioning from television to films, revealing that some casting directors and producers openly dismissed him because of his television background. "There was this preconceived notion about television actors not being good at what they do. That they're not good actors," he explained.
The actor highlighted how this perception has changed over time, noting that many talented performers have successfully made the transition. "Some of the finest actors you see now, especially in the last 10 years, are TV actors, whether it is Yami Gautam or Mrunal Thakur," he pointed out, also mentioning directors like Anurag Basu and Anurag Kashyap who began their careers in television.
Massey's journey from that traumatic first day to becoming one of Bollywood's respected actors demonstrates remarkable resilience and dedication to his craft, turning early humiliation into professional triumph.
