My parents weren’t supportive of my decision of pursuing acting but today they are proud of me: Priom Gujjar

It’s not always the screen time that prompts Priom Gujjar to take up a show, but how pivotal his track is to the storyline. The actor is currently seen as Rajiv, the male lead’s (Aashish Bhardwaj) brother-in-law in the show, Mithai. He says, “This is a positive, sincere, innocent and fun-loving character. He loves to gorge on mithai and is a foodie. Aisa lagta hai ki career mein jitne bhi kadve moments maine face kiye hain, this show – Mithai – is an answer to those hurdles (smiles).”
Priom has been part of various shows like Kaleerein, Ishqbaaaz, Main Maayke Chali Jaaungi Tum Dekhte Rahiyo and Shrimad Bhagwat Mahapuran and web series. Talking about his journey, the actor, who hails from a village in Uttar Pradesh, says, “It’s been a long and arduous journey filled with challenges and rejections. I belong to a family of farmers and no one had even in their wildest dreams thought of becoming an actor. So, my parents weren’t too supportive of my decision to get into acting. They wanted me to do a government job, as it ensures financial security and stability. But I had made up my mind and I did an acting course with a theatre group in Delhi. I moved to Mumbai in 2017. Today, they are proud of me.”
He started taking baby steps as soon as he landed in Mumbai. He shares, “I didn’t dream of becoming a hero overnight. I had to be realistic. I started with cameos and soon bagged prominent characters in Kaleerein and Ishqbaaaz. I also played Lakshman in Shrimad Bhagwat Mahapuran. What’s interesting is that my first act was as Lord Ram for Ram Leela, which is organised on a grand scale at Red Fort, Delhi. Things took off and I dabbled in the OTT medium, too.”
Priom returned to TV with Mithai after two years. Along with the lockdown, another reason was the wait for the right project. He says, “There are times when your sensibilities don’t match with the characters you are offered or you want to do better work. So, you have to wait. Good things happen to those who are patient. I believe that aapki journey kahaan se start ho woh matter nahi karta par khatam kahaan par ho woh matter karta hai. What keeps going during difficult times is your passion, dedication and belief in yourself.”
He played the lead role in Meri Doli Mere Angna. But unfortunately, the show failed to make a mark and wrapped up in no time. Is he not averse to playing hero ka bada bhai or jija? “Not at all. I have portrayed different characters and I can’t be typecast. More than playing the male lead, I worry about what my character has to offer and how important it is to the storyline. Besides, I have essayed the lead role in web series, and several episodes of Laal Ishq. Having said that, aap screen par dikh rahe hain toh bikk rahe hain aur ye industry aisi hai jahaan kabhi chhoti kabhi badi cheezein karni padti hai. I am still young and will get enough chances to play the lead role,” he concludes on a positive note.