Leaving a well-paying and secure job to get into acting is a hard decision to make. It’s a well-known fact that thousands of people fly to Mumbai to make a name for themselves in Bollywood, but just a handful get opportunities. Most of them end up paying high house rents while sitting on the hope of getting their big break or a callback. To serve as an inspiration, here are 8 names who didn’t start off as actors but took a leap of faith and made it big.

Dhairya Karwa

Dhairya Karwa, who started his career as a model in Delhi and moved to Mumbai in 2016 to pursue acting, was working as a data analyst in a Gurgaon firm and was planning to pursue an MBA if movies didn’t happen.

Ranveer Singh

The hottest name in the industry, Ranveer Singh always wanted to be an actor. He also ensured that he went all the way with his educational qualifications. The Jayeshbhai Jordaar actor completed his studies from H.R. College of Commerce and Economics in Mumbai and further pursued his Bachelor’s Degree from Indiana University in Bloomington. Before he began acting, he was working as a copywriter and has worked with major ad agencies like O&M and JWT. And then he made his debut in 2010 with Anushka Sharma in Band Baaja Baarat.

Vicky Kaushal

Vicky Kaushal has an impressive educational background. He gave up engineering for acting, graduated in electronics and telecommunications in 2008. He was placed by several reputed firms and he refused it all. He began to pursue his career in acting and started with theatre. After doing many small projects, there came his big break with Masaan, where he won our hearts and received heaps of accolades for his role.

John Abraham

John received his Bachelor’s degree in economics from Jai Hind College, and later, went on to pursue Masters in Management Sciences, at Mumbai Educational Trust. This was in 1998. Initially, he started with modelling, but then entered an ad agency named Enterprises-Nexus and worked there as a media planner. He will be soon seen in Attack.

Sonakshi Sinha

Sonakshi Sinha has been on point with her fashion game and that’s also because of her educational background. She received her degree in design from Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey Women’s University, Mumbai. She worked as a costume designer and stylist for several movies. She came into the limelight post her ramp walk at the Lakme Fashion Week. Post that, she was offered a lead role in Dabangg, along with Salman Khan.

Taapsee Pannu

Before she became an actress with a penchant for strong roles in Bollywood, Taapsee Pannu was a software engineer. She completed her graduation from Guru Tegh Bahadur Institute of Technology, New Delhi. She first auditioned for the Channel V show Get Gorgeous, which opened the door to her Bollywood debut as a lead actress in Pink.

Akshay Kumar

Before making his debut with Saugandh in 1991, Akshay Kumar worked as a chef and taught martial arts. A student suggested that he could take up modelling to earn a few extra bucks. Taking this advice, he tried his luck in modelling and acting.

Bhumi Pednekar

Bhumi Pednekar has been part of the film industry for the longest time but it’s been off-screen. She used to handle the casting of actors. Pednekar worked as a casting assistant before making her acting debut with Dum Laga Ke Haisha.

(Featured Image Credits: Instagram)