In a candid revelation, Zeeshan Ayyub, known for his impactful performances in films like ‘Tanu Weds Manu Returns’ and ‘Raees,’ recently shared how a pivotal moment with Shah Rukh Khan during the filming of ‘Raees’ prevented him from quitting acting. Feeling typecast and creatively stifled, Ayyub was on the verge of giving up until a simple gesture and encouraging words from the superstar reignited his passion for the craft and changed his perspective entirely.Read on to learn more.
Zeeshan Ayyub opens up about being typecast
Feeling stuck in similar roles and frustrated with typecasting, Zeeshan admits he was close to quitting. “I was really struggling at that point. I thought maybe this isn’t for me anymore,” he shared candidly in a chat with Digital Commentary. It was indeed a vulnerable moment for the actor as he had been giving his all but wasn’t finding the creative satisfaction he longed for.
Zeeshan Ayyub talks about Shah Rukh Khan’s timely support
In ‘Raees,’ Ayyub played Sadiq Ibrahim, Shah Rukh Khan’s on-screen friend in the action drama. He recalls how SRK noticed his inner turmoil and offered a gesture that would change his mindset completely. “Kuch toh kiya tha uss aadmi ne, badal diya tha andar se. When he shook my hand, I felt all the negativity melt away. I realized there’s still so much work to do,” Zeeshan said. The superstar’s encouragement didn’t just lift his spirits, it also reminded him of his love for acting and gave him the confidence to push forward. “He stopped me in my tracks and told me, ‘Work here, everything will be fine.’ That one moment changed everything,” Zeeshan added.
Zeeshan Ayyub on the work front
With renewed motivation, Zeeshan is now gearing up for his next big project, Anurag Kashyap’s ‘Nishaanchi’, starring newcomer Aaishvary Thackeray along with Monika Panwar, Vedika Pinto, and Kumud Mishra. The film is scheduled to release on September 19. Meanwhile, the actor was last seen in ‘Kaalidhar Laapata’ starring Abhishek Bachchan and Nimrat Kaur in the lead. The movie was directed by Madhumita Sundararaman and Zeeshan Ayyub played the role of Subodh in the movie.
