When Ranveer Shorey got caught in a scandal, Bollywood turned a blind eye: He stopped getting work, became penniless; Big Boss brought his career back on track

'My name is Ranveer Shorey. You have seen me in films like Khosla Ka Ghosla (2007), Lakshya (2004) and Jism (2003). Recently I have appeared in the reality show Bigg Boss OTT 3. I have been associated with the acting field for almost 25 years. However, I had to struggle at every step.

During this journey of my career, I faced a very public scandal. A big film family started following me. My name was brought up without my fault. This led to depression. Finally, I had to leave everything and go to America.

Ranveer Shorey's voice choked up while saying this. He says, 'I don't know how long I will keep playing this game of win and loss. I get tired too, but I have to bow down to compulsion.'

Ranveer belongs to a filmy background, but his luck was not like that of star kids like Ranveer Kapoor or Hrithik Roshan. He says, 'My father K.D. Shourie was a film producer, but I never took his help. Actually, my relationship with my father was not good.

When I came into films, my father's name did not benefit me but caused me harm. People were reluctant to give me work after knowing my background. In such a situation, it was very difficult to make a name for myself. However, I had decided that I would make my future on my own.

Ranveer Shorey with his father in the picture.

Hearing this I asked him, were you born in Mumbai?

Ranveer says, 'I was born in Jalandhar, but came to Mumbai at the age of one year. It was because of my father's profession that I always wanted to go into the creative field.

Initially, I wanted to make music videos. I had no intention of becoming an actor, but fate took such a turn that I first worked as a VJ (video jockey) and then got involved in acting. I have also worked in theatre before films.

Why did you decide to enter films?

'Father's last few films flopped badly. He was penniless. He had to sell his house to make ends meet. Mother also passed away at that time, which shook me to the core. Overall, nothing was going well in my life.

I was not even able to manage the household expenses. Seeing this, my friends and family members suggested that I should join films. The initial period was very difficult. From 2002-2005, I neither had proper work nor money to survive. There was not even a penny left in my account.

Ranveer Shorey in his mother's lap in the picture.

Did you ever think of leaving the industry when you didn't get work?

'I wanted to, but what could I do in the face of circumstances. The financial condition of the house was so bad that I had to work. There was no plan B either.

I tried my hand at the restaurant business and a couple of other jobs for a while, but nothing worked out. Eventually, acting was the only option left.'

Then which film changed your destiny?

'Two films released in 2006, Khosla Ka Ghosla and Pyaar Ke Side Effects, changed my fortunes. These two films gave me a new identity overnight. People in the industry started recognizing me, which made the journey easier for some time.

To be honest, after this I did not have to wander around asking for work. There was definitely a lack of work, but it was not the case that I had to beg in front of filmmakers to ask for work.

You wanted work from the industry, that's why you came to Bigg Boss?

'This is not completely true. It is the rule of the industry that first you will struggle, then you will get success, then you will struggle a little more, then you will get success. This cycle continues like this.

At one point, after seeing success, I had some shortage of work. The other projects I had were not getting released. Ultimately, I had to go to the Bigg Boss house.

In the Bigg Boss house, even a small thing is made into a big issue. This truth of mine has also been blown out of proportion. The statement in which I said that I am not interested in the trophy but only in the prize money was also presented in a distorted manner to the public. The truth is that I had said those things in a joking manner. Anyway, I also have a habit of catching the flying arrow.

Before moving on to the next question, let’s know about the Ranveer and Pooja Bhatt controversy…

Did you get support from the industry when your relationship with Mahesh Bhatt deteriorated?

'Those who supported me in that bad time are still my friends. There are some friends who go far away from you after a fight. This happened to me too. I lost some friends during that time.

The truth is that the one who has more resources and strong PR is at the top. Anyway, what more is there to say on this matter. It has been 20-25 years since this incident happened. I do not want to get embroiled in this matter any more.

What do you consider the worst phase of your life?

'When my mother died, that was the first shock I got. The second was when I got divorced from Konkana Sen. This is the reason I don't believe in getting married anymore.

Talking about my bonding with Konkana, earlier she was my wife and now she is just the mother of my child.

What are your upcoming projects?

'In the coming days, I will be seen in films like Hustle, Hari Om Hari. There are web series like Jassi Wed Jassi, Bidiya, which will be streamed soon. There are many more such projects, whose names I cannot reveal.'