If I was an overrated actor, I wouldn't have survived: Sanjay Mishra

Sanjay Mishra is one of the most successful actors today but to reach this stage, he had to overcome several struggles - from monetary crisis, lack of substantial roles to walking on the path of introspection when he left his career briefly only to return for his passion of movies.

In his film career of 23 years, Mishra, who has straddled both commercial and parallel cinema - from "Golmaal", "All The Best" to "Masaan" and "Ankhon Dekhi" more recently - is glad when people call him an underrated actor.

"When I came to Mumbai, I thought I'll get work within a year. If not, I knew I had to be patient. I always wanted to be an actor, not a hero. I wanted to live the life of an actor and experience that.

"Wherever I struggled for work, I never got work there. People call me an underrated actor. I'm glad I was underrated. If I was overrated I would've been outdated, I wouldn't have survived," Mishra told PTI in an interview.

The actor, who is a favourite of many filmmakers today, recalls the time he moved to Mumbai after finishing his studies from Delhi's National School of Drama and did not have work.

With a desire to become an actor and merely Rs 1,500, given to him by his father and younger brother, the 55-year-old actor arrived in the city in 1991.

Despite having a degree from the NSD, he had no work. So Mishra picked up his camera and started doing photography, clicking portfolios of budding actors and used to earn Rs 500-600.

Soon he started getting minuscule roles in films where he was paid around Rs 1,000, but it was still tough to survive in the Maximum City.

"After the NSD when I moved to Mumbai, I didn't like it here. I used to watch Delhi-bound Rajdhani train and cry. I so badly wanted to go back. I didn't have a family business to fall back on, so I had no other option but act."
"I did smaller roles in films to practise my craft. I used to minutely observe the actors and learn. Hence, today I am normal in front of any actor," he says, adding, "I am that actor who rehearses on producer's money."