Known for his work in MTV Fanaah, Badho Bahu, Srivalli and Bigg Boss 13, Arhaan Khan, who made his Telugu debut with Srivalli, believes trust has been one of the biggest lessons of his career. For him, trusting himself, the process and the people around him has helped him navigate the inevitable setbacks that come with working in the entertainment industry.
He said, “My biggest learning has been the importance of trust, trusting yourself, trusting the process, and also understanding the value of having the right people around you. This industry can sometimes make you question yourself. You see someone else getting an opportunity, you don’t get something you wanted, or a project doesn’t work the way you imagined.”
Having the right people around him has made all the difference in those uncertain moments. He said, “In those moments, having people who genuinely understand you and the industry can make a huge difference. I have learned that you don’t have to know everything yourself.”
“Sometimes, being surrounded by the right people helps you stay tuned in to the industry, understand what’s happening, and make better decisions. And ultimately, I have learned to trust my own instincts. If something feels right to me as an actor, I want to have the courage to pursue it,” he added.
Rejection, Arhaan insists, is simply part of the territory. He said, “Rejection is a very normal part of an actor’s life. There are times when you really want a project and you don’t get it, and there are also times when you may be offered something but, as an actor, you decide that it isn’t the right project for you. Both situations are part of the same journey.”
He pointed to his own Bigg Boss experience as a case in point, where the outcome took an unexpected turn. He said, “I’ve experienced situations where I knew I was being considered seriously for something, and yet the final outcome went in a completely different direction. The Bigg Boss experience is probably a good example of that.”
“I had been approached for the show, but the circumstances changed, and I eventually entered as a wild card. So, yes, there was a little irony in the situation; I had been in the conversation, but suddenly I was the person entering later,” he added.
That experience taught him how little of the process actually stays within an actor’s control. He said, “And once you’re inside a show like that, you realize very quickly that nothing is really in your control. As an actor, there is always a desire to work with the best people and choose the best possible projects. But sometimes you have to accept that what you think is perfect for you may not happen at that particular time.”
“You have to embrace rejection just as much as you embrace success. I try not to take rejection personally. If something doesn’t work out, I look at what I can learn from it and move forward. You cannot allow one ‘no’ to define your career. There are many more opportunities waiting for you if you continue to work on yourself,” Arhaan ended.
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