Taha Shah Reflects on His Journey to Fame After Debut

Actor Taha Shah, who recently gained significant attention for his role as Nawab Tajdar Baloch in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Netflix series “Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar,” opened up about his challenging journey to stardom. Despite debuting in Bollywood in 2011, Taha’s path to fame has been anything but smooth.

The Struggle After Debut

Taha Shah made his Bollywood debut with “Luv Ka The End,” directed by Bumpy and produced by Y-films, a subsidiary of Yash Raj Films. Starring alongside Shraddha Kapoor, Taha’s performance was appreciated, but the film didn’t perform well at the box office. In a recent interview with The Week, Taha reminisced about those early days and the struggles that followed.

Chasing Opportunities

Taha shared an anecdote about running behind Karan Johar’s car, hoping for a chance to audition. His determination paid off when Karan noticed him, stopped the car, and even offered him water. The next day, Taha was called to audition for “Gippi” by Dharma Productions, landing the role of Arjun in Sonam Nair’s 2013 film. Despite this opportunity, Taha’s career didn’t take off as expected. He appeared in several films like “Barkhaa” (2015), “Baar Baar Dekho” (2016), and “Ranchi Diaries” (2017), but none brought him significant fame.

Comparing Career Trajectories

Reflecting on his career trajectory compared to contemporaries, Taha noted the success of Ranveer Singh, who was launched by Yash Raj Films in “Band Baaja Baaraat” (2010). Ranveer’s film, known for its Delhi-centric storyline and appeal, catapulted him to stardom. Taha acknowledged Ranveer’s impressive performance and the film’s broader target audience as contributing factors to its success.

It wasn’t until his role in “Heeramandi” that Taha Shah’s potential was fully recognized by a wider audience. The show, directed by the acclaimed Sanjay Leela Bhansali, allowed Taha to showcase his talent on a larger platform. Karan Johar, who had once praised Taha’s strong screen presence, proved prophetic as Taha finally found his footing in the industry.

Before “Heeramandi,” Taha played Saartaj in R Chandru’s Kannada film “Kabzaa” (2023), alongside Upendra. His perseverance and dedication over the years have paid off, marking the beginning of what promises to be a successful phase in his career. Taha’s journey is a testament to resilience and the relentless pursuit of one’s dreams, showing that success can come at any time with perseverance and hard work.