02 June,2026 07:54 AM IST | Mumbai | Letty Mariam Abraham
Abrar Qazi. Pics/By Special Arrangement, Instagram
While most of us head to Kashmir dreaming of haseen vaadiyan and khula aasmaan, actor Abrar Qazi spent his childhood in Srinagar dreaming of something else - becoming an actor. That dream eventually brought him to Mumbai. The city initially overwhelmed him with its crowds, traffic, and relentless pace, but today, he can't imagine life without its hustle. After brief appearances in Laila Majnu (2018) and The Family Man (2019), followed by a successful run on television, Qazi is now gearing up for Tu Hi Re Dil Mein. He speaks to mid-day about finding his footing in Mumbai, embracing television, and playing a classic green-flag hero.
Excerpts from the interview.
How does it feel to have come this far in your journey without any industry connections?
I think God has been kind and my mother's prayers have worked. It has been seven to eight years since I became a part of this industry, but I still have a lot to achieve. I'm grateful for the opportunities I've received in this city. Coming to Mumbai and starting my career as an actor was completely fate-driven. I always wanted to become an actor, but I never knew how I would make it here because I had responsibilities back home and never planned to shift to Mumbai. My first two projects, Laila Majnu and The Family Man, happened while I was still in Kashmir. I auditioned from my hometown. That's how things started.
How difficult was it to adjust from the open spaces of Kashmir to the chaos of Mumbai?
It was a huge culture shock. For the first few months, I genuinely felt I wouldn't survive in the city. There were so many people, so much traffic and activity. I had never experienced anything like that. I remember stepping out of the airport and feeling a blast of hot air. I asked my friend, âIs it always like this?' Then he took me to his apartment in Versova. I walked in and asked, âWhere is the flat?' He said, âThis is it.' That was another shock. But over time, I fell in love with Mumbai. The city gives you freedom. Now, when I go back home, it feels a little quiet.
What attracted you to Tu Hi Re Dil Mein?
We've all grown up watching TV. Being offered a lead role on a major channel was a huge opportunity for me. People often say male leads don't get much to do on TV, but my experience has been different. Even in Yeh Hai Chahatein, I got some wonderful scenes and a character with many layers. That's also why I liked Tu Hi Re Dil Mein. It offered me a layered character.
Tell us about your character, Sanjay, in Tu Hi Re Dil Mein.
Sanjay is a simple, calm and grounded person. He's the classic green flag guy through and through. The story revolves around how he gets caught in a complicated situation when he finds himself torn between two people and the circumstances surrounding them.
How do you continue improving your craft?
Choosing the right scripts is important. I once heard that half an actor's talent lies in selecting the right projects, and I believe that's true. TV teaches you discipline. The audition process is rigorous, and actors become incredibly prepared. Give a TV actor a ten-page script and they'll learn it in an hour. At the same time, it can make you complacent if you stop working on yourself. You can become a better actor or worse actor depending on how seriously you take the craft.
When the show was initially set to launch
During his college days, Abrar Qazi used to mimic Shah Rukh Khan's signature style so frequently that his classmates nicknamed him after the Bollywood superstar
Before becoming an actor, Abrar Qazi pursued a master's degree in journalism because he wanted to work in mass media. "Back home, opportunities in filmmaking and acting were limited, so journalism felt like the closest thing to the world I wanted to be part of. I even created a few stories for a local channel. That experience strengthened my desire to work in front of the camera."
