‘Gangs of Wasseypur changed my world,’ says Huma Qureshi

Mumbai: Huma Qureshi, a prominent Bollywood actor, embarked on her acting journey with a highly anticipated debut in Anurag Kashyap's two-part gangster saga, Gangs of Wasseypur.

 The film, which had a profound impact on her career, also left her feeling unsettled and insecure due to being underpaid.

In a recent interview with journalist Barkha Dutt's Mojo Story, Qureshi candidly discussed her debut film and the subsequent challenges she faced. While the critically acclaimed Gangs of Wasseypur propelled her into the spotlight, the world was unaware of the inner turmoil she experienced. Recalling her early taste of success, she remarked, "I had my first encounter with success quite early on. Maybe it was just the excitement of stepping out of my comfort zone and pursuing acting. Then Gangs of Wasseypur happened. I moved to Mumbai in 2010, and by 2012, the film was released, becoming a massive hit in India. It completely changed my world."

Qureshi swiftly revealed that she received meager compensation for her role and was unaware that she was one of the lead actors in the film. "They paid me a mere INR 75,000. That's it. It was my first film, and it was not a glamorous affair. There were no luxurious five-star hotels or lavish vanity vans, nor a swarm of people following you around. It was just a group of individuals who traveled to Varanasi, shot the film for three months, and returned. Nobody had a clue about what was happening."

Expressing her astonishment at the film's release, she exclaimed, "When it came out, I was like, 'Whoa! I am the lead in the film? My face is on billboards?! Should I have been paid more? Is this how movies are made?'" Despite the initial confusion, Gangs of Wasseypur remained a "special experience" for Qureshi, albeit with both positive and negative aspects. While the film brought her fame, its release left her feeling lost and insecure as she remained uninformed about its success.

"For me, arriving in Mumbai, meeting people, attending auditions, and landing a film happened rather quickly, and I didn't have a clear plan afterward. I was overwhelmed by choices. Working was never an issue, but finding my true identity was. I struggled to find my voice and determine the types of films I preferred or disliked," she elaborated.

Qureshi also shared how the experience affected her self-confidence. "I felt insecure about everything—myself, my appearance, and the projects I was involved in. I even started questioning my film choices. I had no one to confide in. Although I had a younger brother in the film industry, who provided a shoulder to lean on, there was no one to guide me through that situation. However, giving up was never an option," she asserted.

Currently, Huma Qureshi can be seen in the ZEE5 film Tarla, showcasing her ongoing commitment to the film industry.