Actor, writer, and filmmaker Manav Kaul has opened up about the emotional and financial struggles he faced after leaving Kashmir and moving to Mumbai in search of a new life. In his early days, Kaul says he had to make difficult compromises to survive, both materially and emotionally. He reflects on how displacement forced him into an identity crisis, where adapting to a new city also meant distancing himself from his roots.
Surviving on Rs 30 a Day in a Mumbai Chawl
Recalling his toughest phase, Kaul shared that he once survived on just Rs 30 a day while living in a Mumbai chawl. Those early years were marked by extreme financial hardship, uncertainty, and a constant struggle to make ends meet. Despite the limitations, those years became a turning point in his life, shaping both his resilience and his artistic sensibility.
A City That Didn’t Immediately Accept Him
Kaul also spoke about the lack of acceptance he faced after arriving in Mumbai. Coming from Kashmir, he found it difficult to fit into the city’s fast-paced and often indifferent environment. The transition was not just geographical but deeply emotional, as he navigated alienation while trying to establish himself in the creative world.
Letting Go of “Kashmiriyat” to Survive
One of the most striking parts of his reflection is his admission that he had to “cut away his Kashmiriyat” to adapt and survive in Mumbai. It was a metaphor for how he felt compelled to suppress parts of his identity in order to belong. This internal conflict between heritage and survival became a defining part of his early journey.
Finding Freedom in Displacement
Interestingly, Kaul also views this difficult phase as transformative. While displacement brought pain, it also gave him a sense of creative freedom and pushed him toward self-expression. What began as survival slowly evolved into a deeper artistic journey, one that eventually helped him find his voice as an actor and writer.