“Life isn’t same for everyone, in the end we only regret the chances we didn’t take” this statement is equally justified by the ever charming Bollywood superstars. It is very tough to prove oneself in India’s leading film industry Bollywood where thousands of people endowed with talent explore their way. Despite having godfathers in the movie industry, these stars made their way to success winning hearts of millions.

19 Top Inspiring Stories of Bollywood Stars Who Struggled Really Hard To Make It Big

Watch out what your favorite stars did prior to their career at Bollywood. We are sure enough that inspiring stories would make you achieve your goals with their hard work and perseverance breaking all constraints and stereotypes.

#1. Dev Anand

Hardships:

The evergreen star of Bollywood worked as a clerk before he became a star earning Rs 85 per month for 5-7 years.

Worked as a clerk with a salary of Rs. 85 prior to his career at Bollywood.

Gatecrashed the office of Babu Rao Pai who gave him his first break.

#2. Dilip Kumar

Hardships:

The Mughal of Bollywood cinemas had had no money to shuffle between home and film studios.

Father was fruit seller

He was a canteen owner and a dry fruit supplier

Tram tickets of him were paid by the former BCCI president PM Rungta

 #3. Amitabh Bachchan

Highly acclaimed Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan’s current life may seem to be  very ambient for the fans in the current times.

Hardships:

Didn’t give up despite being rejected by 2 radio stations due to his baritone voice

Spent a few sleepless nights on a bench in Marine drive during his struggling days

Prior to his first blockbuster ‘Zanjeer’ delivered 12 serial flops.

#4. Thalaiava Rajnikanth

The king of box office and style had to go through tough times before starting his career as an actor in films.

Hardships:

Worked as daily wage labourer and did many other odd jobs in Bangalore & Chennai (Madras).

He was even forced to work as a coolie and a carpenter to survive

His last job before venturing his luck in films was as a bus conductor for BTS (Bangalore Transport Service).

#5. King Khan of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan

The leading star of Bollywood in current times had to face many inauspicious days during his initial days. The heartthrob of millions has been though many heartrending hardships.

Hardships:

Worked as an usher in a concert to earn his first salary of Rs. 50 in Delhi.

Didn’t give up despite failing at a restaurant business in Dariya Ganj during his early days.

Would you believe he sold tickets of his own movie Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa at theatres on the day of release?

#6. Nawazuddin Siddiqui

Making us all arrested to the seats in theatres this National award winning actor to had no exemption from hardships of life.

Hardships:

The eldest of his eight siblings, he was born in a farmer’s family.

After packing his bags at college, he worked as a chemist.

To meet his daily needs, he even worked as a watchman.

Though he made his debut in Bollywood with the Sarfarosh (1999) movie most of his performances in his early career went unnoticed during this period while succeeded after ten years to get a major break in the industry.

#7. Boman Irani

A leading actor in Bollywood who could effortlessly play with our hearts had too been through grievous instances of life.

Hardships:

Was a waiter at Taj Hotel before his career in films

Also sold wafers at his mother’s bakery shop.

How can destiny deny his endless efforts, at the age 44 he got the first major break.

#8. Akshay Kumar

Known for his real stunts, this Khilladi of Bollywood too had to some real stunts in life.

Hardships:

Was a chef and a waiter.

Worked as a background dancer with dance groups.

To generate income and meet his daily needs sold clothes bought from Bangkok and Singapore.

#9. Arshad Warsi

This circuit of Bollywood had to explore his stardom in the circuit of real life.

Hardships:

Struggled for a living in Mumbai during his early days after being orphaned at the age of 14

Turned out as school drop out after 10th standard.

Sold cosmetics as salesman door to door at the age of 17.

#10. Johny Lever,

The man who could make anyone with his gestures and expressions used to be like someone we would see in our daily lives.

Hardships:

Left school studying post 7th standard to earn his bread.

Worked out many odd jobs at the age of 12.

Sold pens on streets to meet his daily life needs.

He picked up his last name ‘Lever’ remembering his work at Hindustan Lever Ltd.

#11. Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra

Ruled over the hearts of millions with his movies had seen tragedies in his real life like many of his reel lives of character.

Hardships:

The maker of ‘Rang De Basanti’ movie sold vacuum cleaners during his early days of career.

Even worked as a spot boy serving tea and other confectionaries on sets.

Prior to his career at Bollywood he was an Ad film director.

#12. Anupam Kher

Hardships:

Father was the sole earner of the family and earned Rs 90 a month

He stayed in a dingy crawl room in Mumbai

Stole money once forms a temple in his house

#13. Govinda

After his father’s health failed, they moved from Carter Road to Virar

Started approaching producers for work at a young age of 14-15

He got a break at the age of 21 with a salary of Rs. 4500

#14. Kangana Ranaut

Hardships:

Dreamed to be a doctor initially while declined such plans.

She started modeling but gave up thinking it lacked creativity.

Survived only eating bread and pickle during her initial days.

#15. Zeenat Aman

Hardships:

She took up a job as a journalist for Femina and later moved on to modelling

After doing a few films which turned out to be flop, she was ready to pack her bag and return to Germany,

Hare Rama Hare Krishna released in the year 1972 was her biggest hit.

#16. Dharmendra

There were times when Dharmendra didn’t even have a morsel of food. Had to face a terrible struggle for years.

#17. Sonu Sood

While Shooting At Filmcity, Sonu Sood Recently Tweeted That As A Struggler He Once Had A Pay A Bribe To Get An Entry Into The Studio. Struggled for 8 years before a true break.

#18. Manoj Bajpai

At A Time When Manoj Bajpai Had No Money At All, He Agreed To Do The Serial Swabhimaan For A Mere Fee Of Rs 2,000. Struggled for 7 years.

#19. Madhuri Dixit

She never got positive reviews as a newcomer in Bollywood. People never thought that she would become this big in the industry. Struggled for 5 years before a true break.

We hope the above cited real time challenging hardships of Bollywood superstars would be helpful and motivate do many great things ahead in your life. Let’s not give up though whatever comes to out before us until we attain our goals. Share your thoughts with us leaving them below in the comments.