Aamir Khan, Katrina Kaif, Hrithik Roshan: Stars who thought of quitting Bollywood

Bollywood is more than just a glamour industry where thousands come to try their luck but only a few survive. While some get to enjoy fame, with a lucky few tasting it instantly overnight, a few take longer to secure a place in B-town. Not everyone can pull a hustle in the film industry and did you know some A-listers of B-Town once almost thought of quitting their acting profession? From Aamir Khan to Hrithik Roshan to Katrina Kaif and more, here’s a list of stars who were on the verge of considering alternative careers in their life.

After spending decades in the acting industry, Aamir Khan recently opened up about quitting films as it was affecting his personal life. It so happened during the COVID-19 lockdown. He said, “I felt it (cinema) took me away from my family. I told my family I will quit, not act, produce films. I told them I want to be with you all. It was responsive anger. My family was shocked.” But his family helped him change his mind.

Katrina Kaif is among the most bankable female actors in Bollywood, but she almost thought of leaving the industry for good. Back in 2007, she thought of quitting acting after her film ‘Namaste London’ opposite Akshay Kumar. During her appearance on Karan Johar’s chat show, she revealed, “When I saw the film, I was terrified. I just saw too much of me in the film and you start believing what people say. I was like, ‘No, no, no, people can’t see me in a film, they won’t watch the film, it’s a disaster. This is over, my life is over.’ I was like, ‘I am packing my bags and I am going to find a new career’.”

Keeping up with the stardom and popularity of Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan has always been vocal about his acting journey. He once surprised fans when he decided to quit Bollywood. Disappointed with his failed films, he had shared during an interview, “At one point in time, I felt it was my mistake that I came into the industry as whatsoever I was trying, it was not working. I went to my dad and said maybe I am not made for this industry.” Wondering what changed his mind? It was Big B who stepped up with the right advice.

Hrithik Roshan cemented his spot in the industry right from his debut film ‘Kaho Na Pyaar Hai’ and never looked back. But, did you know he once considered the idea of giving up on acting in films owing to his knee injury? Years ago he told IANS, “I worked on Kites only for seven months. Before that I was trying to treat my knee. For six months there was no sign of recovering from my knee pain. That time I thought either I will turn to singing or direct a film.”

Actor Sanjay Mishra despite receiving recognition for films like ‘Golmaal’, ‘Kaamyaab’, ‘Ankhon Dekhi’ and more, had left B-Town after his father passed away. He landed in Rishikesh and started working in a Dhaba for about Rs 150 and had no plans to return. It was filmmaker Rohit Shetty who changed his mind and convinced Sanjay to return with ‘All The Best’ in 2009.