Jaideep Ahlawat’s journey to becoming one of Hindi cinema’s most versatile actors was anything but smooth. Long before audiences praised his intense performance in Paatal Lok, the actor faced repeated failures, emotional turmoil, and years of uncertainty. Recently, in a candid conversation, he opened up about his early struggles, the anger he carried within him, and how acting became both his escape and his strength.
Jaideep Ahlawat shares how acting came in life
The actor has often said that Paatal Lok was a turning point in his career, making him feel he had finally “arrived” as an actor. Today, he is known for bringing depth and honesty to every role he plays. Speaking on Rekhta’s YouTube channel, the actor looked back at his formative years. After finishing school, he left his village and moved to Rohtak for college.
He described this phase as eye-opening, especially for someone who had studied in a government school and grown up in a rural setting. Jaideep credited his father for being progressive and supportive, recalling that he was encouraged to live independently so he could learn life lessons early.
Growing up in Haryana, he said, joining the Indian Army was almost a shared dream among youngsters. He too followed that path, appearing for the NDA exam after Class 12 and later preparing for CDS after graduation. While he managed to clear the written exams, the SSB interview became a repeated roadblock. He admitted that failing the SSB two or three times was deeply frustrating and left him feeling directionless.
It was during this phase that acting entered his life, almost unexpectedly. Jaideep said he had never seriously planned to become an actor. Participating in stage performances, poetry recitations, or dance competitions felt normal growing up, not career choices. However, after graduation, acting slowly turned into something more meaningful.
He explained that as a young man who believed the Army was his only calling, the anger from failure had nowhere to go. Acting gave him a release. What people later described as his “intensity” on stage, he said, was simply him letting out years of bottled-up emotions.
Another strong influence in his life was literature. Jaideep shared that his father introduced him to reading at a very young age. He still remembers reading Premchand’s stories like Kafan, Panch Parmeshwar, and Do Bailon Ki Katha, which left a lasting impact on him and shaped his sensitivity as an actor.
He talks about his 'destructive' temper
Despite finding success, Jaideep admitted that anger remains a challenge. He confessed that his temper can still get the better of him at times. Once triggered, he finds it difficult to regain control and often has to remove himself from the situation. While he said it is much more controlled now, he did not shy away from calling it "destructive."
On handling struggle, the Family Man actor shared a grounded perspective. Meanwhile, on the work front, Jaideep Ahlawat was last seen in Sriram Raghavan’s war film Ikkis and has several projects lined up, including King with Shah Rukh Khan. Stay tuned!
Jaideep Ahlawat shares how acting came in life
The actor has often said that Paatal Lok was a turning point in his career, making him feel he had finally “arrived” as an actor. Today, he is known for bringing depth and honesty to every role he plays. Speaking on Rekhta’s YouTube channel, the actor looked back at his formative years. After finishing school, he left his village and moved to Rohtak for college. He described this phase as eye-opening, especially for someone who had studied in a government school and grown up in a rural setting. Jaideep credited his father for being progressive and supportive, recalling that he was encouraged to live independently so he could learn life lessons early.
Growing up in Haryana, he said, joining the Indian Army was almost a shared dream among youngsters. He too followed that path, appearing for the NDA exam after Class 12 and later preparing for CDS after graduation. While he managed to clear the written exams, the SSB interview became a repeated roadblock. He admitted that failing the SSB two or three times was deeply frustrating and left him feeling directionless.
It was during this phase that acting entered his life, almost unexpectedly. Jaideep said he had never seriously planned to become an actor. Participating in stage performances, poetry recitations, or dance competitions felt normal growing up, not career choices. However, after graduation, acting slowly turned into something more meaningful.
He explained that as a young man who believed the Army was his only calling, the anger from failure had nowhere to go. Acting gave him a release. What people later described as his “intensity” on stage, he said, was simply him letting out years of bottled-up emotions.
Another strong influence in his life was literature. Jaideep shared that his father introduced him to reading at a very young age. He still remembers reading Premchand’s stories like Kafan, Panch Parmeshwar, and Do Bailon Ki Katha, which left a lasting impact on him and shaped his sensitivity as an actor.
He talks about his 'destructive' temper
Despite finding success, Jaideep admitted that anger remains a challenge. He confessed that his temper can still get the better of him at times. Once triggered, he finds it difficult to regain control and often has to remove himself from the situation. While he said it is much more controlled now, he did not shy away from calling it "destructive."On handling struggle, the Family Man actor shared a grounded perspective. Meanwhile, on the work front, Jaideep Ahlawat was last seen in Sriram Raghavan’s war film Ikkis and has several projects lined up, including King with Shah Rukh Khan. Stay tuned!
