Aqib Gulzar, a youth from Noorpora area of Tral in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district, is gradually inching closer to realizing his Bollywood dreams.
After years of struggle and hard work, the young actor from Tral has been successful in carving a space for himself in the world of glamour and entertainment.
For the past couple of years, he has been getting good character roles to play in movies and serials after performing many nondescript roles. To reach this stage, Aqib, who comes from a rural setting with age-old traditions intact, had to face a lot of negative behaviour from his friends, relatives, and other members of society.
Breaking the stereotypes and taboos, Aqib stood strong to chase his acting dreams and accomplished what he had dreamt of. Recalling his debut in Bollywood as a junior artist, Aqib narrated that a nondescript role in Vishal Bharadwaj-directed movie, Haider, in 2013, was his first tryst with Bollywood.
He said that in 2013, the crew of the Haider movie was shooting in Srinagar. Coincidentally, at the same time, he was on a visit to his maternal grandparents’ house in Dalgate area of Srinagar.
He rushed to the shooting spot as a spectator. Through local contacts, he managed access to the casting team of Haider, pleading them for a junior artist role. “I was given the role of a soldier to play in Haider,” he said, adding that he had a nondescript appearance in the Shahid Kapoor-starrer movie, but it ignited the spark of acting in him.
The Tral boy from a humble family background ventured into the world of theatre to nurture his acting talent.
Simultaneously, he continued his education and after graduation, Aqib started doing a number of odd jobs to shoulder the responsibility of his family. “I appeared in a number of movies like Rocky Prem Ki Khani, Satya Prem Ki Katha, serial Love Kush, and two other web series,” he said, adding that it was after the government announced the Jammu and Kashmir film policy that new opportunities knocked at his door.
Aqib, known as Aqib Souba in the world of acting, revealed that the Jammu and Kashmir film policy proved to be a boon for many local actors like him.
“The policy opened a window for local artists,” he said, adding that he got a recurring role in Pashmina, Dhaage Mohabbat Ke, a romantic television series, aired on Sony SAB since October 25, 2023.
Aqib revealed that he is in a negative role in the love series shot in Kashmir and Mumbai. “I am playing the role of the main antagonist’s aide,” he said, adding that he already appeared in the 96th episode telecasted on SAB and that he will be featuring in four to five more episodes.
Aqib revealed that he is playing a good character in the movie Leo besides featuring in Mission Rafa and Article 370. “I also have a good role in the upcoming South Indian movie SK21,” he said, adding after his appearance on the small screen, his struggle and perseverance were recognized by friends, relatives, and colleagues.
Aqib received many congratulatory calls and messages, including from those people who used to taunt him for wasting his time in chasing the distant dream. Besides, he has also participated in three modeling shows having won Mr. Authentic and Mr. Universe titles.
Aqib is also featuring in different music videos. Aqib urges local youth to chase their dreams with full determination.
“Your talent is the biggest guide; it will lead you to your destination,” he said.
