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In this interview feature, we explore the life of a struggling actor in Bombay that led Aakarshit Arora to launch his vlog series - how it started, how it’s going, and why he keeps doing it.
We’ve all heard the tales of struggling actors in Mumbai - the endless auditions, workshops, and waiting by the phone for that one casting call. But most of these journeys are often painted with a kind of emotional brevity, as if a film director decided the story should feel tragic with the ultimate resolution being the actor finally seeing their film on the big screen. But for every person grinding through those workshops, waiting to hear back from casting agencies, or hustling for that one role in Arman Nagar, there’s a voice that turns this struggle into something more like a quirky comedy than a tragedy.
Aakarshit Arora, an actor in Mumbai, does exactly that through his vlogs. His vlogs, especiallyThe Life of an Actor in Bombay, turn the grind into something colorful, witty, and strangely relatable. No sad background music here but just the chaotic, quirky energy of someone navigating the city and the industry with equal parts zidd (stubbornness) and humor. What makes his vlogs stand out isn’t just the humor, though that’s plenty. Aakarshit has a way of turning the mundane into cinematic stories, weaving in personal experiences that give his work emotional weight. His smooth voice reflects confidence and flows like radio-ready pulling you right in, making you feel like you’re right there with him on the shoot, meeting people like Mukesh Chhabra or Arjun Kapoor, or just grappling with the highs and lows of being a struggling actor.
Beyond being entertaining, his strategy of marketing himself on social media also works practically. As one of his videos points out, it shows why people should hire him, he highlights his collaborations, the work he does, and the professionalism he brings. But the vlogs are also insightful for anyone on the edge of chasing their acting dreams. From what happens on shoots to candid confessions about life in Mumbai, his videos become an inside look from the outside. Taking a chapter from his book, this conversation also attempts to do the same where he digs into how it all started, from acting to vlogging, and how creating content has added a new layer to his identity as a performer. It touches on whether social media has helped him or could even work against him, and what he has learned so far from navigating the city, the industry, and his own journey.
Also Read: #InFocusNow: Getting inside Andre Borges’ killer recommendations of true crime and dark mystery tales!
Here's what he had to share!
Being an actor in Mumbai is full of struggles. What motivated you to capture your journey in such a quirky, humorous way through Life of an Actor in Bombay?
It was never really supposed to be quirky or humorous, actually. The whole journey of making Life of an Actor in Bombayvlogs really started out of desperation because I didn’t have any work, man. I had quit my job, moved to Mumbai, and it had been more than a year, and I still hadn’t done a single shoot or a single piece of work since coming to the city. It was really starting to mess with my head. At that point, my only thought was that I needed to keep creating something. I had already gotten a small hint of that satisfaction while making other stuff from short films to trying to put together a show with my friends but none of it was really working out. Everything would just fall apart at some stage. That’s when I realized that I needed something where I had full creative control, where the buck stopped with me. The vlogs became that for me. They were something I could do entirely on my own as if I wasn’t dependent on anyone else. I had seen too many projects go nowhere because I had to rely on other people. So I told myself,“Okay, this one’s on me. If it fails, it’s because I didn’t do it, not because someone else didn’t show up.” That mindset really shaped the beginning of it all. As for the humor or quirkiness that just kind of happened on its own. I never set out to be funny or witty; it wasn’t intentional. But I guess the whole journey itself has an inherent irony or absurdity to it, right? I mean, a guy leaving behind a comfortable life in Gurgaon, a stable job, a group of friends, everything just to move to Mumbai and start from scratch, knowing he’s going to struggle… there’s something both tragic and funny about that. I think that’s where the humor naturally crept in, from the reality of the situation itself.
How did it all begin? When did you first fall in love with acting, and at what point did you figure out this unique vlogging style of storytelling? Was it something organic or did you plan it from the start?
I first fell in love with acting when I was in 4th grade and it’s actually a really interesting story. I was a very underconfident, shy kid, and when we got to 4th grade, we had to choose an elective performing art. There was music, dance, a bunch of instruments you could learn, and then there was theatre. I really wanted to learn how to play the tabla because it intrigued me, but I fell sick that day. So, when I went back the next day, the tabla class was already full, it was the most in demand. The only class that still had space was theatre, so they put me in it. I still remember the first day as our teacher, Vikas sir, asked all of us to perform something, anything we wanted. I ended up singing that old Cadbury jingle “Kuch ho jaaye aaj pehli taarikh hai…” I don’t even remember it properly now, but I did it, and it was so much fun. From that day on, something just clicked. That’s really where my acting journey began. I fell in love with it instantly. For the first time in my life, I felt like I was actually good at something and people appreciated me for it. So I just stuck with it. I kept doing theatre all through school and college. In fact, the only time I stopped was during the three years when I was working right before I moved to Bombay. I was working in finance then, and that’s when I realized this wasn’t for me at all. I needed to be an actor. So, I quit everything and moved to Bombay.
Now, when I moved here, I remember telling myself, “I will never be a vlogger.”That was one of those firm decisions, I thought it was beneath me because I was a “theatre actor” and all. But then I don’t even know why I started vlogging. Like I mentioned earlier, it just felt like something where the buck would stop with me. I didn’t have to depend on anyone, not for shooting, for editing, or for being in it. I had a lot of free time back then, so it felt like something cool to do on the side. It all happened very organically. There was no plan at all, except one that I would post three times a week, no matter what. That was my only commitment. And I actually did that. It’s been about a year and a half now. Sometimes I skip a few videos here and there because I’m focusing more on quality now, but back then, it was pure consistency. I didn’t care how I shot the videos or what they looked like, it was just about doing it. It felt like practice, like riyaaz.
When you first started speaking to the camera and with it a larger audience, did you think it would grow into something so big? How does this make you feel?
When I started talking to the camera, I actually began by talking to the microphone doing voiceovers for my vlogs before ever facing the camera. Honestly, I didn’t think anyone was listening. It wasn’t supposed to be that big. For me, it felt like I was just talking to myself, a kind of daily reflection that helped me stay in check. It made me feel like I wasn’t wasting my days doing unproductive things, like clubbing or just aimlessly passing time, which I was quite close to doing at one point. The vlogs really helped me hold myself accountable. I genuinely didn’t think they would reach so many people. In the beginning, a few friends and acquaintances from school noticed my work. There was this one junior we hadn’t spoken to in years who messaged me saying, “Keep going, this is going to turn into something big.” I remember replying, “I don’t think so, but thank you for showing that kind of love and faith.” And when it actually did grow, I texted her again saying, “Bro, you were right.” She just said, “I told you, there’s an audience for everything.” And I was like, I guess there really is.
It makes me feel extremely grateful. And it’s also taught me something very important that if you set yourself a goal and work hard towards it without fixating on the outcome, things start to fall into place. For me, the goal was always input-oriented, not output-oriented. It wasn’t about how the videos performed or what numbers they did, it was simply about making three videos a week. And I think when you align yourself with an input-oriented goal and stay consistent, things really do happen.
Now that you’ve come a long way on social media with your distinct style of documenting the actor’s life, do you see yourself more as a content creator who acts or an actor who also creates content? How do you juggle those two identities?
That’s a great question because I’m very particular about this. I’m an actor who creates content but ever since I started making content, creating reels and what I like to call short-short films, I genuinely feel like I’ve tapped into something more than just being an actor. I’m not just an actor anymore I’m an actor who can shoot cool videos, edit cool videos, and speak to an audience. It’s really added a lot to my overall being. When I came to Bombay, I was just an actor; now I’ve become an actor+. That said, I’m definitely an actor first and a content creator second. But through the process of creating content, I’ve also become really drawn towards direction. That part of filmmaking really intrigues me now, and I want to explore and understand how direction works.
Touch wood, I haven’t had to juggle much between acting and content creation because most people on my socials don’t really see me as a content creator, they see me as an actor. Even when I work with brands for collaborations or reels, the videos we create usually involve some form of acting. They often say, “Ha, we want you to perform, to create a character,” and that works perfectly for me. I feel like I’ve found an almost perfect balance and synergy between the two worlds. And honestly, social media is such a great platform for anyone in the media and entertainment space to showcase and market themselves.
Do you think marketing yourself on social media helps actors get better opportunities? Has it opened any doors for you so far which wouldn’t have opened otherwise?
Yes, I think marketing myself on social media has really helped open up all the opportunities that have come my way. Every piece of work I’ve done so far has happened because somebody saw me somewhere online, thought I fit a certain character, and decided to audition me. Now, more and more such things are happening. I’m in the database for a lot of casting, almost all the major casting agencies, and all of that has only been possible because of social media. In fact, I’ve even started my own initiative called “Don’t Hit the Sack.” It’s a WhatsApp group with around 50–60 actors, and we try to meet once a month. We’re also working on creating a separate online page called “The Actors Project,” where all of us actors come together, write short stories, shoot them, and upload them on Instagram. We collaborate on these projects as a way to promote ourselves on social media. It’s my way of giving back to this beautiful acting community that has given me so much. I can’t really get anyone a role or help them land a job, but I do feel like I’ve understood the social media space, especially how an actor can use it to their advantage and that’s what I’m trying to share through The Actors Project. So yes, I truly believe social media is a great tool for actors.
There’s a lot of debate these days about actors needing a strong follower count to land roles. Do you think it’s become mandatory for actors to have social clout in order to get work?
No, I don’t think actors necessarily need social media clout. What actors really need is to stand out. There are millions of actors in Mumbai and countless casting agencies and it’s hard for them to even find you. If I were doing a job in Gurgaon and, you know, occasionally sending my profile around, and one day someone from Mukesh Chhabra’s team happened to spot me and think, “Oh, he might fit,” that would’ve been fine. But if I’m doing this full time, it’s a completely different game. Then it boils down to one question- how do you make sure people know you exist? There are a few routes to that. One of the most effective is going to a really good acting school and by good, I mean the top-tier ones like FTII. I know people from FTII who get called for auditions regularly and are now doing great work in the industry. The second way is spending a lot of time in the space socializing, networking, being present at the right places, building relationships. That might take five or six years, but it works. I know actors who don’t have a high follower count online but are working steadily and getting good projects purely because of the people they know and the trust they’ve built.
The third route, the one I chose was social media. When I moved to Bombay, I didn’t have the time or patience to go to an acting school, even though I had done theatre and felt well-equipped to perform both on stage and on camera. I did attend a few workshops to refine my craft, but I couldn’t commit to a full-time course. I also didn’t have the patience to spend years purely networking or hanging around hoping to get noticed. So for me, social media became a way to bridge that gap. Posting content online helped casting agents, filmmakers, and people in the industry find me. It gave me visibility when I didn’t have the institutional support or network others did. So yes, having a good following or social presence definitely helps, it makes people curious enough to check out your work. But at the end of the day, none of it can replace actual talent. You have to be a good actor. Social media might get you one gig, but you won’t get the second if you can’t deliver. People may follow you online, but they’ll only respect you for your craft if you’re consistent and good at what you do. So while a little social clout whether it’s from followers, networking, or being an alum of a reputed institute can help open doors.
On the flip side, do you ever worry that if you grow too big on social media as a content creator, it might work against you like losing out on projects that prefer fresh faces or the mystery that comes with being a new actor?
That’s a really good question and honestly, something I hadn’t really thought about before. But recently, someone messaged me saying, “Itna mat kholo.” And my reaction was, “Khulne se hi toh sab kaam mila hai!” I don’t think I can afford to be that “fresh face” or carry that kind of mystery. While I do maintain some mystery like I don’t put everything about my personal life out there on my social media, it is still very actor-focused. It’s about my work, my professional side, not my private life. And yeah, maybe it could work against me someday. Who knows? But at the same time, being open and visible online is the only thing that’s actually worked for me so far. I can’t really afford to go back on that. So I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing which is staying authentic, keeping my intentions right, focusing on my craft and see where that takes me.
As a struggling actor in Bombay, what has this journey taught you about the industry, the city, and most importantly, the zidd (stubbornness) it takes to keep pursuing your dreams against all odds?
A few things. The biggest one is that jo zidd hai na, it’s directly connected to your background and your backing. I don’t want to sit here and pretend that I come from a very tough upbringing and now I’ve “made it” because a few people in Aram Nagar know me, no, man. You need a certain kind of support, whether that’s from your family, friends, or someone who’s got your back. It’s very difficult to survive here with absolutely zero resources because the truth is, jo zidd hoti hai na woh bhukh ke aage nahi tikhti. If you have enough support to know you won’t go hungry, then by all means, come to this city. But if there’s even a slight chance that you’ll have to go without food, think twice before coming. That’s one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned.
About the industry and the city, if you keep your intentions right and continue to work sincerely, people have a way of finding you. From the outside, there’s a lot of talk about how bad or toxic the film industry is, but once you start working within it, you realise that many people here are genuinely good. Most of them are creative souls doing what they love, and when you find your circle, you’ll actually have a great time. The truth, though, is that only a small percentage of people are actually working. The rest are still on the outside, struggling to get in and that outer circle is where the dirt lies. That’s where people are often misled, scammed, or taken advantage of. But once you get past that and start working, you’ll see that things aren’t as bad as they seem. Sure, payments can be delayed maybe 30, 60, or 90 days but apart from that, the industry is nice, and people are genuinely kind. And I love Mumbai, man. The city has this energy that doesn’t let you sit still. You feel like you have to work, you have to do something. If you sit idle here, you’ll get depressed. The city keeps you moving, and if you move with it like haath pair marte rahoge then slowly but surely, kuch na kuch ho jaayega.
For more such conversations, follow us on @socialketchupbinge.
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