Exclusive: Kunwar Amar Singh gets candid about the phase when he didn't have work for more than 2 years, says 'People commented, 'Ab iske paas kaam nahi hai, yeh khatam hogaya'

Kunwar Amar Singh has been a heartthrob ever since his first show D3, Dil Dosti Dance. The actor is currently winning hearts with his character Tapish in Anupamaa, however, little did you all know that Amar had a phase where he didn't have work for more than 2 years. The actor gets candid with ETimes TV about his struggles and the perception that people hold when an artist goes out of work.

It has been a long journey, it has been a roller coaster ride. There have been ups and downs and downs that I never expected. When I started with Dance India Dance, for the next six years I was non-stop working. I was doing 2-3 shows at a time and D3 gave me so much popularity and name. There wouldn't be anyone in India who wouldn't know D3. It was a popular show when social media wasn't a buzz, still, we had so much reach.

After that, I did Naamkaran and music videos, but I wanted to step into films and OTT. At that time, the web wasn't that prominent, movies were a different road altogether. Of course, the domination is there, you need to get into it as a stranger who doesn't know anything so it was a tough call.

Few years, especially before covid a year and later for 2 years were very very difficult. There was no work, no money coming in. Whatever reserve you have, you need to survive in that. At such a time, a lot of people come and give advice.

As I switched my career from a dancer to an actor, the industry frames one very quickly. So when the makers wanted to approach they would think only if the character had a dance element then. They wouldn't reach out to me for a character that would be only on the merit of being an actor.

That was difficult, the times were really tough. I had a situation for two years that was hand to mouth. Things were really tough and I didn't know how I would make the ends meet. I even went into a shell and stopped going out as Mumbai is an expensive city and survival is not that easy. I had to maintain a social status, as an actor you need to maintain that status and if you don't they will start taking you lightly.

If you aren't wearing brands then they will judge you. There are people sitting who are ready to say, 'Ab iske paas kaam nahi hai, yeh khatam hogaya, iska career khatam.' You are a human being, at some point even if you have ignored those comments, you would feel stuck and contemplate. I have been very fortunate that God never killed my hope and I kept going. I believe that this isn't my end.

I was sure that I was going to make a comeback and this one would be bigger than the last one. And I did make a comeback, yes, I did reject a few projects as I wanted to do something that was impactful. With Anupamaa, I got a chance to portray myself in a completely different character. Tapish has his own track and style, he isn't related to anyone in the show. People recalled me with the show.

After D3, I didn't want the same thing to be repeated. We were getting only dance-related offers, this started getting a little irritating. All we said that try us in different shows, let us attempt the character. Audition us, if you like it give us the role or not. But the problem was, nobody wanted to try us in a different role.

It took me a lot of years to break that stereotype, still, people want to cast us for a dancing role. People still ask us what is the next project with dance. It is good that my talent had an impact but then as an actor, I am much more than just a dancer. The transition happened to me long back when I did D3. I had understood that both worlds are different. And I am comfortable in doing both. I have found my peace and am happy doing more work as an actor.