Friendship Day Special-Celebs Share Stories of Their First Friends in Mumbai
Friendship Day Special: Celebs Ridhi Dogra, Sonu Nigam, and Abhishek Bannerjee Share Stories of Their First Friends in Mumbai
As actors move to Mumbai, the city of dreams, to pursue their careers, having a true friend can be a source of strength and support. On Friendship Day, several celebrities shared stories about their first friends in the industry who provided encouragement during their initial days.
Ridhi Dogra and Vinny Arora: A Friendship Born on Set
Actor Ridhi Dogra, a Delhi native who debuted with the TV show “Jhoome Jiiya Re” in 2007, recalls her first and closest friend in the industry, actor Vinny Arora. Dogra met Arora in 2009 on the first day of a small stint she did on a television show.
“My first and closest friend that I made would be Vinny Arora. We met on my first day of a small stint I did on a television show but made a lifelong friend in her. I’ll always remember the date because I saw her walking in with a mithai box as her niece was born that morning 29th September,” shares Dogra. Despite their busy schedules, their friendship remains solid. “She is one of my most cherished friendships and people in this city that my work has given me,” she adds.
Abhishek Bannerjee and Amar Kaushik: Friends Through Thick and Thin
For actor Abhishek Bannerjee, his most cherished friendship in the industry is with director Amar Kaushik. Bannerjee moved to Mumbai from Kharagpur, West Bengal, and found unwavering support in Kaushik. “I was a college student when I worked in ‘No One Killed Jessica.’ That’s where he directed me for the first time,” recalls Bannerjee.
Their friendship has only grown stronger over the years, with Bannerjee saying, “We used to dance on Govinda’s songs. We are also family friends. He is the only guy who always saw the actor in me. He cast me in ‘Stree,’ and we promised each other to always keep a check on each other so that we don’t change as human beings.”
Kubbra Sait and Ali Fazal: A Bond Beyond Borders
Kubbra Sait, who hails from Bengaluru and made her debut with “Ready” in 2011, cherishes her friendship with actor Ali Fazal. Sait first met Fazal at Prithvi Theatre shortly after “3 Idiots” was released. “I was pretty much blown away,” Sait recalls.
Over the years, their paths have crossed in various parts of the world, and their friendship has only deepened. “Forget everything else, when I got ‘Foundation,’ he was the first person I called. Ali has been one of my favorite people in the world and continues to be,” says Sait.
Sonu Nigam and Raju Singh: A Musical Friendship
Singer Sonu Nigam, originally from Faridabad, Delhi, reminisces about his long-standing friendship with composer and musician Raju Singh. They met in the early 90s when Nigam first moved to Mumbai to pursue his singing career.
“Raju has been a constant in my life since then, and we have literally grown up together. I am fortunate to have a good soul like him as my brother and friend in this industry,” says Nigam, reflecting on their decades-long bond.
Anupriya Goenka and Pradeep Sarkar: A Mentor and a Friend
Actor Anupriya Goenka, who moved to Mumbai from Kanpur in 2009, credits director and screenwriter Pradeep Sarkar for being a significant influence in her early career. Goenka did her first advertisement with Sarkar, which led to more significant opportunities.
“He had played a very important role in initiating me. I was just getting into acting back then, and he showed a lot of faith in me, which helped me in taking this career ahead,” shares Goenka. Sarkar’s appreciation gave her the confidence and assurance that acting was the right path for her.
Conclusion
These stories of friendship in the entertainment industry highlight the importance of support and camaraderie in a field often characterized by intense competition and transient relationships. This Friendship Day, we celebrate these enduring bonds that provide strength, guidance, and joy to those pursuing their dreams in the city of Mumbai.