Actor Viraj Ghelani attributes his success to a combination of luck and hard work

Vikrant Parmar

Actor, stand-up comic and digital content creator Viraj Ghelani likes to keep his words simple, yet has the power to convey more than what is said. Viraj’s tale of success began as the Gujju boy of social media, garnering a following of over 1.2 million with his blend of comedy.

“I have never wanted to limit myself to a single form of entertainment. I’ve made it a goal to explore a new medium whenever possible. My aim is to challenge myself to explore every avenue of performing arts. I’m looking for roles that will push me and challenge my craft, rather than ones that confine me to a specific type. I want to avoid being stereotyped,” he begins.

Following his rise as a social media sensation, Viraj got an opportunity to be a part of films like Govinda Mera Naam and the blockbuster Jawaan. He attributes his rise to a combination of hard work and luck. “I believe both play a role in success. However, relying solely on luck isn’t the way to go, as it’s beyond our control. Luck might give a push but it is hard work, dedication and consistency that will help one sustain the competition in any industry. While I let my stars do their part, I trust my efforts more,” he says.

After a successful stand-up debut and films, Viraj made his first appearance at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in association with Warner Bros for the film Furosia: A Mad Max Saga in May 2024. “My career journey has been quite multi-dimensional so far and I aim to keep it that way. I’ve explored various formats and am incredibly grateful for the love I’ve received along the way,” he beams.

Following this, Viraj made a sensational regional debut with the Gujarati film Jhamkudi. The movie raked-in a record-breaking Rs 2.42 crore in the opening weekend, amassing over Rs 25 crore at the box-office and became the third highest-grossing Gujarati film ever!

He must have had his share of ups and downs amid all this? “What is life without ups and downs? I believe that both struggles and successes are integral to everyone’s career. It’s about the journey, not just the destination. So, I value each experience — whether it’s a challenge or a triumph. I am also extremely grateful to have great family, friends and amazing fans, who stand by my side, no matter what, making every phase of my life beautiful,” he says.

All set to take his stand-up act That’s So Viraj international, with shows in Dubai and Australia, Viraj is looking up to the future with much hope. What’s so special about stand-up shows? “Stand-up acts provide artistes a unique platform to showcase their work in front of a live audience, leading to a more interactive experience. The immediate love and appreciation, after every performance, is incredibly motivating and inspires you to keep improving all the time,” he shares.

Having put in the hard yards, any advice for the youngsters eyeing a career in the world of entertainment? “They should focus on honing their craft and improving themselves, as opportunities will eventually arrive. Complaining about the job’s instability won’t help in any way. I must have given at least 200 auditions before landing my first role. Competition has grown significantly, but thanks to social media everyone now has a platform to showcase their art,” he says. Well, that sure is the case.