Actor Taha Shah Badussha recently shared an intriguing anecdote about his early struggles in Bollywood, revealing a moment of sheer determination that involved running behind filmmaker Karan Johar’s car for an audition. Taha, who has recently garnered attention for his role as Nawab Tajdar Baloch in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Netflix series “Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar,” opened up about this pivotal moment in an interview with The Week.
Taha Shah’s journey in Bollywood has been far from smooth. He made his debut in 2011 with the film “Luv Ka The End,” produced by Y-films, a subsidiary of Yash Raj Films. Despite his commendable performance, the film did not achieve commercial success. Around the same time, YRF launched Ranveer Singh with “Band Baaja Baaraat,” which became a massive hit and catapulted Ranveer to stardom. Reflecting on this, Taha acknowledged Ranveer’s exceptional performance and the broader appeal of his film, which was deeply rooted in Delhi’s culture and slang, setting a new trend in filmmaking.
However, Taha’s determination never wavered. He recounted a particularly memorable incident when he desperately wanted an audition for a film produced by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions. In a bid to catch Karan’s attention, Taha ran behind his car. To his surprise, Karan noticed him, stopped the car, and offered him water. This act of kindness led to an audition the next day for the film “Gippi,” directed by Sonam Nair. Taha landed the role of Arjun in the 2013 film, marking his entry into Dharma Productions.
Despite this breakthrough, Taha’s career did not skyrocket immediately. He went on to act in films like “Barkhaa” (2015), “Baar Baar Dekho” (2016), and “Ranchi Diaries” (2017), but these projects did not bring him significant fame. It was a period of perseverance and continuous effort for the actor.
Karan Johar, who had once spoken about Taha’s potential, described him as having a strong screen presence that combined machismo and vulnerability. Karan expressed confidence in Taha’s future in the film industry, a sentiment that took years to materialize fully.
Taha’s recent role in “Heeramandi” has finally allowed audiences to see his potential. The series, which also stars Aditi Rao Hydari, Sharmin Segal, Richa Chadha, Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Fardeen Khan, Shekhar Suman, and Adhyayan Suman, has been a significant project for Taha. His portrayal of Nawab Tajdar Baloch has been well-received, showcasing his acting prowess and screen presence.
In addition to “Heeramandi,” Taha recently appeared in the Kannada film “Kabzaa” (2023), directed by R Chandru and starring Upendra in the lead role. This role further demonstrated his versatility and commitment to his craft.
Taha’s story is a testament to the relentless pursuit of one’s dreams and the importance of seizing opportunities, no matter how unconventional the approach may be. His journey from running behind a car for an audition to earning recognition in a major Netflix series is an inspiring narrative of perseverance and resilience in the face of challenges.
