Meet Youngest 100 Cr Actor Who Played Transgender In Debut Film, Was Harassed On Streets, Set To Work With SRK

Meet Youngest 100 Cr Actor Who Played Transgender In His Debut Film: From facing hardships while growing up to getting harassed on streets while prepping for a role, this young Bollywood heartthrob's journey is nothing short of inspirational. After playing small roles in movies and series, this actor chose was brave enough to choose an unconventional debut in Bollywood despite being a complete outsider. He carved his own niche in the showbiz and delivered a Rs 100 cr film as a solo male lead and won hearts with his cute looks (and acting of course). Now, the talented actor is all set to share the screen space with Shah Rukh Khan in his next. Can you guess who is he?

B-Town's Youngest 100 Cr Actor Who Had An Unconventional Debut; Played A Transgender

From getting paid Rs 800 daily as a junior artist on the sets of 'Super 30' to delivering a 100 cr film with 'Munjya', Abhay Verma has come a long way and we can definitely say that it's just the beginning. Before making his big Bollywood debut as a hero, Abhay had done a couple of ads and also appeared in The Family Man 2.

Born on 27th July 1998, Abhay Verma chose an chose an unconventional debut to step in to Bollywood as a lead hero and played a transgender in the 2023 film 'Safed'. Did you guys he said 'no' to Zoya Akhtar's highly-anticipated Netflix 'The Archies' for Safed? He was also in talks for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Gangubai Kathiawadi' but he had to let go of that film because of another project.

In an interview with IANS, Abhay was quoted saying, "Both 'The Archies' and 'Safed' were happening at the same time. I chose 'Safed' over 'The Archies'. I was in the process of 'The Archies', but I really wanted to do 'Safed'. I had auditioned for 'The Archies' and had met Zoya (Akhtar, director). But, 'Safed' ka ho hi gaya tha toh (I got Safed so) I decided to go with the latter. (sic)"

"I wish I could have done that film but I had got another project at that time. But, then a few days after I couldn't do Gangubai Kathiawadi, I met Alia (Bhatt) for a brand shoot. Just a few days back, I had met Sanjay Leela Bhansali sir for Gangubai Kathiawadi, (sic)" he added.

Abhay came to Mumbai at the age 19 to become an actor. His elder brother Abhishek Verma was already working an actor back them. The Munjya star walked an extra mile to prep for his role in Safed and had lived as a transgender in Varanashi for several weeks. In an interview with a daily, the 26-year-old revealed he was harassed by a group of drunk boys at night who didn't know his real identity.

Abhay Verma On His Early Life Struggles

Abhay, who originally hails from Panipat, was doing BBA but felt it was not his calling so came to Mumbai. During one of his interviews, the young actor opened on how his family had faced a crisis when his father go jaundice and was put on bed rest. That time, his mother became the only bread-winner of the family. He was in class 6 at that time. But 3 years later, his father passed away. Abhay also said his mom had to take a loan to educate them.

Abhay Verma Recalls His Casting Couch Experience

During an interview with Instant Bollywood, Abhay Verma opened up facing a challenge during his initial days. Recalling the incident, Abhay stated, "I have never gotten to the point where I have said no. Actually, it did happen once so my first-ever meeting in Bombay was not the ideal meeting. People do want different things in life. (sic)"

"I was too naive to ever register that at that point. It happened once and later on I said, 'Why would I give my remote to my TV to everyone to play and change the channel'. That is my life and that is my goal. I went to Panipat, and I crushed my dreams like this cannot let this happen. Then I came back with that power like a changed person and I was like, 'Ye meri journey hai aur kisi aur ka haq nahi hai aapko apki journey batane ka', (sic)" he added.

Abhay Verma Upcoming Movie

Abhay Verma is all set to share the screen space with Shah Rukh Khan in 'King'. Directed by Siddharth Anand, the movie is slated to go on floors this year and also stars Suhana Khan and Abhishek Bachchan.