Mumbai: The entertainment industry looks completely different than it did ten years ago. Screen tests are being swapped for reels, waiting rooms for OTT platforms, and actors aren’t just competing with each other anymore — they’re up against an entire generation of content creators too. Aadesh Chaudhary knows this change firsthand. He’s the actor who faced 33 audition rejections before finally becoming a household name with Sasural Simar Ka and Laagi Tujhse Lagan.
Talking about the sheer number of avenues available to actors today, from OTT and reality shows to Instagram reels and vertical content, Aadesh said the opportunities have multiplied, but so has the crowd chasing them. “Options have multiplied so much. Earlier it was just TV and films. Today you can build an audience from Instagram reels, music videos, OTT, short films, even vertical shows,” he said. “But with more doors open, more people are walking in. So competition is definitely huge.”
According to him, consistency separates those who work regularly from those who don’t. “The actors who are working consistently are the ones who are treating this as a 24/7 craft, auditioning, creating their own content, upskilling, and staying visible. Talent alone isn’t enough now. You need patience, discipline, and the ability to adapt across formats.”
Asked whether there are fewer opportunities and more actors flooding the industry, Aadesh offered a more nuanced take. “There are more actors, and there are more opportunities too, but the kind of opportunities have changed,” he explained. “OTT and digital have created a lot of new space. Brands are also casting actors for campaigns, reels, and collaborations.”
He added that the real bottleneck lies in the middle. “The challenge is that the middle ground is crowded. Everyone is fighting for the same two or three projects. So it feels like less work if you’re only waiting for one type of role. If you’re open and keep working on yourself, work does come.”
With a laugh, Aadesh responded to the popular joke about gym goers harbouring acting dreams. “Haha, I’ve heard that. I don’t personally train at a commercial gym, but wherever I go to work out, I do see a lot of fitness enthusiasts who also have acting dreams,” he said.
He acknowledged why the stereotype exists but was quick to draw a line between looking the part and being ready for it. “Fitness is such a big part of an actor’s life now. On screen, you have to look the part. So people in the gym are already building that discipline. But being camera ready and being actor ready are different. The gym gives you the body, but acting needs training, rejection handling, and consistency. So to everyone in the gym with a dream, use that same discipline for your craft too.”
On the topic of stability, or the lack of it, in an acting career, Aadesh said. “Yes, I absolutely believe that,” he said, referring to the need for an alternative career. “Acting is unpredictable. You can be shooting for three months straight and then have a gap. If you don’t have something else to fall back on, that gap creates a lot of pressure.”
He believes a second pursuit doesn’t dilute an actor’s craft, it strengthens it. “Having an alternative keeps you financially and mentally stable, and that actually makes you a better actor because you’re not acting out of desperation.”
Aadesh revealed that he already practices what he preaches. “Yes, I do,” he said, confirming he has built a life beyond the camera. “Apart from acting, I’m into nutrition. I’m a certified nutritionist and I also have my own supplement brand. Health and wellness is something I’m really passionate about because it’s so connected to an actor’s life.”
He also shared that he is currently expanding his knowledge in a different field altogether. “I’m doing a diploma in Clinical Psychology right now, and I keep educating myself. Understanding the mind helps me both as a person and as an actor.”
Looking ahead, the actor to merge his two worlds of wellness and entertainment. “Going forward, I’d love to expand more in wellness, maybe workshops or content around nutrition and mental health for actors and young people. I feel celebrities have a responsibility to talk about real, useful things, not just glamour.”
