In a candid revelation, actor Vineet Kumar Singh has detailed the extraordinary lengths he went to in order to survive in the competitive world of Bollywood before finding mainstream success. The actor, who had a standout year in 2025 with roles in Laxman Utekar's period drama 'Chhaava', Reema Kagti's 'Superboys of Malegaon', and Gopichand Malineni's 'Jaat', shared that his journey included being an assistant director, a body double, and even playing a dead body.
The Unconventional Survival Guide
During a recent roundtable interview, Singh recounted his early days of struggle. He revealed that his Bollywood survival kit included some highly unconventional jobs. He served as a body double for actor Suniel Shetty and even played the dead body of Sanjay Dutt in a film. "There's only one thing: Keep that lamp burning within you. If it stops burning, nobody would come asking for you," Singh philosophically stated, emphasizing the importance of perseverance.
His debut was in Mahesh Manjrekar's 2002 film 'Pitaah', starring Sanjay Dutt. However, recognition was slow to come. He did smaller roles until he gained some notice with Anurag Kashyap's 'Gangs of Wasseypur' in 2012, and later with a leading role in Kashyap's 2017 sports drama 'Mukkebaaz'.
From Carrying Child Stars to Missing Big Breaks
Singh's struggle wasn't limited to odd acting roles. He shared an anecdote from his time as an Assistant Director on the 2005 fantasy comedy 'Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi'. "I used to carry eight-year-old Ishaan Khatter in my arms to the set," he said in the interview, which also featured Khatter. He contrasted his path with that of industry insiders, recalling how on the set of Pooja Bhatt's 2007 film 'Dhokha', he saw a young Alia Bhatt sitting on her father Mahesh Bhatt's lap. "I was struggling then, I am struggling today too. Alia is a fantastic actor, but when you get opportunities on time, your life can change," he reflected.
In a twist of fate, Singh also missed out on a major opportunity. He disclosed in an interview with Digital Commentary that he was initially offered Kartik Aaryan's role in Laxman Utekar's 2019 hit 'Luka Chuppi'. A misunderstanding led him to believe he was only being asked for script feedback, causing him to lose the part. "It was my bad luck," he admitted. However, destiny compensated when he later landed the lead in Utekar's bigger hit, 'Chhaava'.
The Philosophy of Survival
Singh explained his mindset during those tough years. "It was my dream to be an actor. But the circumstances were such that I didn't even have that opportunity," he said. He stressed that survival was the primary goal. "If you survive, only then can you take your story forward. If you get martyred, then what's left?"
He also revealed a deeply personal motivation. "I never wanted the case that a boy in my neighbourhood is discouraged from becoming an actor because I went for it and nothing came out of that. I never wanted to be that story. It was important for me to survive for that," Singh reasoned, highlighting the pressure he felt as a symbol for other aspiring actors from non-film backgrounds.
Vineet Kumar Singh's story is a testament to the resilience required to make it in Bollywood. From being Suniel Shetty's double to portraying Sanjay Dutt's corpse, his journey underscores the fact that for many, the path to stardom is paved with humility, patience, and an unwavering will to keep the inner flame alive.
