These actors once worked as watchmen, farmers — Now they rule Bollywood

Before making audiences laugh and cry in films like Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. and 3 Idiots, Boman Irani worked as a waiter and room service staff at Mumbai’s Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. He also ran his family’s bakery before switching to acting in his 40s — a rare late success story in Bollywood.

Born as Badruddin Jamaluddin Kazi, Johnny Walker was working as a BEST bus conductor in Mumbai when legendary filmmaker Guru Dutt spotted him. Dutt was so impressed by his comic timing that he cast him in Baazi—launching one of Bollywood’s most iconic comic careers.

In his early life, Mithun Chakraborty was briefly involved with the Naxalite movement and later distanced himself after a personal tragedy. After moving to Mumbai, he worked as a cleaner in a hotel to make ends meet. He eventually shot to fame as the disco dancer of India.

Before becoming a powerhouse performer in films like Gangs of Wasseypur and The Lunchbox, Nawazuddin Siddiqui worked as a watchman in Delhi. A graduate of NSD (National School of Drama), he struggled financially for years and took up the job just to survive. Today, he’s known for breaking stereotypes in Bollywood.

Before he became the Superstar of Indian cinema, Rajinikanth worked as a coolie and later as a bus conductor in Bangalore. He also briefly worked as a carpenter and performed odd jobs to earn a living. His grounded beginnings only add to his legendary status across India.