After winning hearts with his effortless charm as “Law” in Netflix’s Maamla Legal Hai, actor Amit Vikram Pandey has crossed a major milestone, his first film Jassi Weds Jassi recently released on the big screen, marking a significant moment in his career. For Amit, born in the city of UP and shaped by nearly 10 years of hustle in Mumbai, this moment feels nothing less than a personal triumph.
In an exclusive conversation with Peeping Moon, soon after the release, Amit spoke with disarming honesty about the years that built him, broke him, and ultimately shaped the artist audiences are celebrating today.
Bombay is a difficult city… everything felt different.
When asked how Mumbai treated him over these 10 years, Amit immediately smiles,half nostalgic, half amused. “Man, Bombay is a difficult city. The land, the people, the culture, everything is different. I came from an all-boys school, where even hugging someone was a very emotional moment. Here, everyone is hugging everyone. That felt strange at first.”
As the conversation deepens, he doesn’t shy away from the darker corners of the journey. “It’s been 10 years since I moved to Mumbai. I got my first film after 10 years and I don't hide that. There were times when the project was almost in hand, costume trials were done, the shoot date was set... and then suddenly it was all over. Moments like that can break anyone.”
But Amit is not someone who packs his bags easily.
“Many people I knew left Mumbai. They had the same dreams, the same ambitions. Seeing them leave the city was the hardest. But I decided to stay. Perhaps I've always had a love-hate relationship with this city.”
Did he ever consider leaving? He answers instantly, almost before the question finishes.
“No! Never. People more talented than me are still looking for work, and people with less talent than me are getting more work, so this happens in every field. Work isn't just based on talent; many factors are involved. Anyone investing money in you wants a return. And if that's not visible, they don't get the opportunity. And I feel whatever I'm doing honestly, I'm doing it because of my grandfather because he always told me to dream big and here we are. Unfortunately after this I couldn’t show my film to him in the theater because he is no longer with us but I know he is watching me from heaven.”
