Mumbai: Actress and former Bigg Boss contestant Archana Gautam has opened up about her difficult journey from Meerut to Mumbai, revealing that it was actor and politician Ravi Kishan who first encouraged her to pursue acting as a full-time career.
Archana shared her story during an upcoming episode of Tum Ho Naa – Ghar Ki Superstar, hosted by Rajeev Khandelwal.
During the conversation, Rajeev asked Archana whether it had been difficult to leave her hometown of Meerut and establish herself in Mumbai, considering her modest upbringing.
Recalling the hardships she faced, Archana said there was a time when even arranging Rs 20,000 for her college fees was a challenge. She revealed that her mother worked extra hours to gather the money, while she later took up several jobs and honed her sales skills to support herself. When things failed to work out, she eventually returned to Meerut.
Speaking about the turning point in her life, Archana said it all began when her father came across an advertisement in a newspaper for the television show Sales Ka Baazigar and encouraged her to participate.
“The show tested participants’ sales skills—you had to sell almost anything. I got selected, and Ravi Kishan ji was one of the judges. After watching my performance, he told me, ‘Archana, I think you are made for acting.’ Those words completely changed my perspective,” she recalled.
Curious about what happened next, Rajeev asked whether Ravi Kishan had helped bring her to Mumbai.
Archana said she contacted Ravi Kishan’s personal assistant after the show, following which her father spoke to him. Soon, she travelled to Mumbai with her father and brother to meet the actor at his residence.
“He asked me what I wanted to do. I told him honestly that I knew I couldn’t become Katrina Kaif and had never dreamt of becoming a big star. I said I would be happy even if I got a small role in a television serial,” Archana said.
According to the actress, Ravi Kishan encouraged her to remain patient and assured her that he would call when the right opportunity came along.
Archana said that conversation became a defining moment in her life, giving her the confidence to believe that she could build a career in the entertainment industry despite her humble background and struggles.
With inputs from IANS