Exclusive - Shoaib Ibrahim on quitting Sasural Simar Ka at its peak, having no work for 3 years & Dipika's support
Shoaib Ibrahim, who became a household name with his character Prem from Sasural Simar Ka, decided to quit the popular show at the peak of his career in search of a meaty role. However, luck didn’t shine on him too soon and he had no work for three years. The actor did not give up and used the period to work and groom himself. Shoaib recently joined ETimes TV for a lengthy chat where he poured his heart out about his struggles, career and personal life. The actor revealed how after quitting Sasural Simar Ka he was out of work for three years, wife Dipika Kakar's constant support and more. (Photo: Instagram)
On quitting Sasural Simar Ka when it was at its peak
I am here to work and do good work. I am not here to stand in the crowd. I came to Mumbai with big dreams in my eyes. I was selected from Bhopal. I wanted to move ahead in life and do good work. It’s not that Sasural Simar Ka was not a good show, that show has given me everything. Till today people know me as Prem. But there was a point in life when I had nothing left to do in the show and that started to frustrate me. I wanted to perform and I was not in the show to just stand. I wanted lines, dialogues to perform. And there are times in life when you have to make some big decisions with a heavy heart. Sometimes you feel sad, but it is always good for your future. That time I did not think much, because I was not satisfied as an actor, I was frustrated and realised that I am not able to give my 100 percent. As a person I am not someone who is not loyal towards my craft. If I am not able to give my everything to the show, I would like to disconnect with it and that’s why I took that decision. (Photo: Instagram)
After leaving Sasural Simar Ka for the next three years I did not have any work
Yes, I was scared when I was taking the decision of leaving Sasural Simar Ka and for the next three years I did not have any work. But I also believe that if you want to achieve something big in life, you have to take risks. I knew it was going to be a challenge as I had a family to look after, they were not here in Mumbai, my family was in Bhopal. But as I was the eldest son, there were a few responsibilities that I had to fulfill. I wanted to do everything for my family. (Photo: Instagram)
I had done some savings while working on Sasural Simar Ka
While I was working on the TV show SSK. I had made a few savings. Dipika was a close friend at that time and she was very supportive towards me. We had a strong bond even though I had quit the show. Slowly, I worked and groomed myself. I used those three years to groom myself as Shah Rukh Khan sir says, "Joh kuch nahi karte woh kamaal Karte Hain'. (Photo: Instagram)
I remember my dad got unwell and I had to sell my car to get him treated
In those three years I understood Mumbai and watched it very closely as I had not struggled before that. I had bagged my first show Palkon Ki Chaaon Mein without much struggle. I came directly from Bhopal to Mumbai. After that show wrapped up, I immediately bagged SSK within three months, so I actually did not struggle much before it. And I strongly feel till the time a person doesn't struggle in life, he or she will not value success. Those three years were very difficult. I met so many people, good and bad, and went through lots of ups and downs. I remember my dad got unwell during that period and I had bought a car when I was earning and I had to sell that to get him treated as soon as possible.
I learnt a lot in those three years
I met people who conned me, took money from me and all sorts of things happened to me, but I learnt a lot about this city in those three years. I understood the tricks and traits of the industry, how to groom myself and after that I bagged my next show 'Koi Laut Ke Aaya Hai'." (Photo: Instagram)
Family's support during ups and downs
My family had moved to Mumbai by 2014 and Dipika and I were staying in the same building. Ammi would say “don’t let this phase affect you”. Dipika would motivate me by telling Shoaib everything will be fine, there's a lot of time, don’t worry… family support is very important and that’s the reason I never went into depression. But there were moments when I wanted to work and was desperate. Par kayi baar when you want to work there’s no work or the kind of work you want to do they don’t come your way. And sometimes when you are not looking for work, you get offered too many things. When I returned after grooming myself and working on my fitness, it took time but I was back to work. (Photo: Instagram)
Working on himself during the break - I was chubby and my first aim was to make myself fit
The first one year went into grooming myself because everyone knows how I was during SSK. For an actor self realisation is very necessary where you stand as performer or physical appearance. My physical appearance was not that great compared to now. I was chubby and my first aim was to make myself fit. There were times when I would get frustrated, there was no depression but I would feel low sometimes. At that time my family and Dipika played a huge part. It was a self realisation because it was 2014 and Happy New Year had released and it was a time of 6 pack abs, lean body, muscles. During that period Dipika helped me a lot and I could make that physique because of her. That time I was staying alone and Dipika helped me with my diet and food. She would guide me and our cook. The one thing I did was put in a lot of hard work. I’ve worked a lot and kept my patience.. sabra kiya hai. (Photo: Instagram)
When Koi Laut Ke Aaya Hai did not work as expected
Yes, I was a little disappointed and felt Koi Laut Ke Aaya Hai should have worked a little more. But at the end of the day every show comes with its destiny and this is the way of life. I saw it with a different perspective. Isse pehle kuch nahi tha ab ye toh tha… and I felt people saw my transformation with the show and loved me. Soon after that we did Nach Baliye and got married. Then I did Jeet Gaye Piya More, Ishq Mein Marjawan. (Photo: Instagram)
Dipika supported me when I had nothing
I had made a few savings and I managed my expenses for sometime. Post that Dipika supported me a lot and I never shy away from admitting it. I proudly accept it. That’s the reason I never think twice about doing anything for her because she supported me at a time when I had nothing. My father also had few savings which we used and our entire family is very grateful to Dipika that she showered so much love and supported us in every way possible. (Photo: Instagram)