There was no support system, no roadmap, says Anjuum

Anjuum Faakih, who has been part of shows like Kundali Bhagya and Bade Ache Lagte Hai 2, says her career has been built without formal training, industry backing or financial security. Learning on the job shaped both her craft and her life. “Whatever I have today, I’ve earned it the hard way,” she says. “There was no support system, no roadmap. I learned everything on the job.” Since starting out in television in 2010, Anjuum treated every project as a classroom. “I never did workshops because I couldn’t afford them. Whatever I know about acting, craft, and discipline, I’ve learned on set,” she explains.

She believes each role leaves a personal impact. “Every character teaches you something,” she says. “Sometimes it’s about emotional maturity. You don’t even realise it, but you start applying those lessons in real life. I moved out of the house with nothing. I built my own identity, my own brand, step by step. I am the black sheep of my house and have always been a rebel.”

Talking about her preference for morally complex roles, the actress, currently seen in Dr Aarambhi, adds, “When a character is clearly right or wrong, the lines are defined. But when you’re in the grey, you believe you’re right, even if others don’t. That space is more real. Most characters and people — are just dealing with emotional crossroads. They’re shaped by situations, not by a desire to be good or bad.”