MUMBAI: In an industry where most wait for the right break, Ankit Raj Kashyap is creating his own path. An engineer by degree, entrepreneur by instinct, and actor by calling, Ankit Raj Kashyap represents a new wave of Indian talent — driven, self-aware, and unafraid to take the unconventional route.
His journey — from India’s engineering classrooms to the attention of Hollywood’s creative circles — stands out for its honesty and perseverance. Recently, his audition caught the eye of Mike Timm, Senior Creative Producer at Universal Studios, who publicly praised Ankit’s “easy screen presence.” For an emerging Indian actor still carving his space, such recognition is rare — and telling.
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Q: You began as an engineer. What made you take such a sharp turn into acting?
Ankit Raj Kashyap: (Smiles) It wasn’t a sharp turn — more like a voice inside that got louder with time. I was the first engineer in my family, but I always connected more with people and emotions than equations.
After co-founding a startup and later stepping away from it, I hit a space of silence — personally and professionally. During that time, films became my way of feeling alive again. I’d sit in theatres for hours, not to escape, but to understand. That’s when I realized — this isn’t admiration; it’s calling. So, I joined an acting school, paid for it myself, and started from scratch.
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Q: Tell us about the recognition from Universal Studios’ Mike Timm — that’s quite rare for an Indian newcomer.
Kashyap: It was unexpected and deeply encouraging. I auditioned for Mike’s screenplay “Bobby Got a Gun.” The role was written for someone twice my age, but he pushed me to reinterpret it. I lived that character for a week and sent in my version.
When he acknowledged my performance publicly, it felt like life telling me — you’re on the right path. For me, it wasn’t about validation; it was about being seen for my truth.
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Q: You moved to Mumbai three years ago as a complete outsider. What was that phase like?
Kashyap: Grounding — that’s the best word for it. I’ve waited in audition lines, done the rounds in Aram Nagar, met rejection head-on. But I realized early — I don’t want to chase; I want to build.
I worked on myself — mentally, physically, emotionally. I focused on becoming the kind of actor who’s ready when the moment arrives. That patience became my biggest strength.
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Q: Many new actors start with television. You’ve chosen to stay away from that route — why?
Kashyap: Because clarity is everything. I’ve had television offers, and I’ve turned them down respectfully. My energy aligns more with cinema and digital — spaces that allow layered, global storytelling.
Every role I take has to push me forward. Saying “no” isn’t arrogance; it’s focus — and it takes courage when the easy answer would be yes.
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Q: You’ve always been known for your entrepreneurial streak. How does that blend with your creative side now?
Kashyap: Both acting and entrepreneurship come from the same muscle — vision and execution. I still consult on brand storytelling, and I’m building ShivSitij Films with an industry veteran — a venture focused on bringing structured, venture-backed systems into Indian cinema to open professional capital channels for films here.
Too many talented filmmakers lose out because the system isn’t built for them. I want to help change that.
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Q: Ten years from now — where does Ankit Raj Kashyap see himself?
Kashyap: (Smiles) Ten years from now, I see myself as one of the most successful and richest actors this world has ever seen — not just in fame, but in the kind of stories I tell and the lives I touch.
For me, “rich” isn’t only about money — it’s about richness of experience, of purpose, of impact, and of course, money as well. I want to build a legacy that proves — dreams built from nothing can stand tall with the best in the world.
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In a time when overnight fame often overshadows grounded ambition, Ankit Raj Kashyap’s story is a quiet reminder that clarity, patience, and persistence can still shape extraordinary journeys.
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