Saqib Saleem on struggling to get a film: I gave seven to eight auditions a day

Actor Saqib Saleem, who made his debut with Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge (2011) six years ago, says he had a tough time before he bagged the role in the film. Although he has heard of more challenging stories, the 29-year-old says his initial days in Mumbai were spent giving auditions. “Honestly, there are people who struggled more than me. They stay in Mumbai for years before they get something. I remember I gave a lot of auditions. There would be days when I would give seven to eight auditions a day. I would carry clothes with me and change at the venue. I still remember I used to reach the final audition venue all exhausted, and then see 250 people there. My heart used to break,” says Saqib, who will be seen in Dobaara, that also stars his sister, actor Huma Qureshi.

However, Saqib adds that it’s all part of the process of becoming an actor. “It’s the process that is important rather than the end. Struggles like these make you who you are,” says Saqib, who has featured in films such as Mere Dad Ki Maruti (2013) and Bombay Talkies (2013).

After struggling for so long, Saqib is at that point in his acting career where he even rejects scripts. “Some of the scripts that I am offered are very bad. I am not able to read them in one go.I have got scripts in SMS lingo. I feel like people don’t give importance to writers. Writers need to be celebrated. Actors perform what they write and so they have a very important part to play in a film,” says Saqib.