Actor Gaurav Gera, who plays Mohammad Aalam in Dhurandhar: The Revenge, is being widely appreciated for his performance. The film, directed by Aditya Dhar and starring Ranveer Singh, continues to perform strongly at the box office. Now, Gaurav has shared insights into his early struggles as a young actor in Mumbai spanning over two decades, expressing the challenges he overcame to reach this point.
Gaurav shares letter to his parents written in 1998
On Sunday, Gera shared images of a handwritten letter he wrote to his parents in 1998, shortly after moving from Delhi to Mumbai to pursue acting. In his social media post, he reflected on the passage of time and his professional journey, writing that it had been 28 years since he first sent those letters.
In the caption Gaurav wrote, “This letter to my parents – 3rd Dec 1998 .. less than a month that I moved to Mumbai .. this is 28 years ago .. so no emails, Letters .. of course after that lots tv, some films, ad films, musical play, Radio, TikTok, Reels .. been a lovely journey with ups and downs .. God has been kind .. but this Dhurandhared .. dunno what future holds .. but I wanna thank my 23 year old self for staying hopeful and Ma Pa for endless support #DhurandharTheRevenge”
The letters offer insight into Gaurav’s early challenges and aspirations. In one, he wrote to his parents: “Dear Mumma and Papa, How are you guys? I’m really well over here. Nothing has materialised on the money front for me, but I hope to do well soon. There’s a lot of work here compared to Delhi.” He also described his daily routine, rehearsing in the evenings for the musical Man Of La Mancha, which he described as a prestigious production.
Gaurav detailed his modest living arrangements in the letters, noting that he shared a small cottage with a friend, which helped keep expenses manageable. “Other expenses include telephone, electricity, gas and water bills and food. Mumma and Papa, the future is bright but I still have a lot to learn,” he wrote, highlighting the patience and perseverance required to establish himself in the industry.
Social media reacts
The post drew responses from colleagues and fans alike. Dhurandhar costar Naveen Kaushik wrote, “Aur tab pata na tha ki aapki kahani itni khuubsoorat ho jayegi ek din (And back then, we didn’t know that your story would turn out to be so beautiful one day.)”. Another Co-star Aditya Uppal commented, “Bhai yar (brother), it got me teary man @gauravgera.” Others, including Karan V Grover and Harshdeep Kaur, expressed support and admiration for his long journey in entertainment. Social media users praised Gaurav’s dedication, with one writing, “Finally your work is getting its due credit,” while another called the letters “priceless.”
Reflecting on his journey, Gaurav acknowledged the uncertain early years and credited his parents’ encouragement for helping him stay focused, ultimately leading to the success he enjoys today with Dhurandhar: The Revenge, which released on March 20.
