Before becoming one of Indian television's best-known faces, actor Ram Kapoor went through a lengthy, humbling period of hardship. And it included being reliant on his wife and actress, Gautami Kapoor, for financial assistance.
In an exclusive interview with Moneycontrol recently, Ram Kapoor spoke about the difficult early years of his profession and how Gautami's work helped him remain afloat at a particularly trying time.
"When I married Gautami, I lived off her income for the first year," Ram acknowledged. "She used to film for a show called Lipstick, and I had no employment. I would get up, make her coffee, and she would leave for work while I stayed at home for a complete year," he told us.
Ram Kapoor revealed to us that he started his career with a meagre Rs 1000 per day at Doordarshan. He then got a break with Ghar Ek Mandir where he met his future wife Gautami. The two were loved for their chemistry in the show.
It was only with Ekta Kapoor's Kasamh Se that changed Ram Kapoor's life and made him a household name. Later he became 'The' Ram Kapoor of TV with Bade Achhe Lagte Hain opposite Sakshi Tanwar.
In this interview with Moneycontrol, Ram Kapoor had earlier revealed that his shift to OTT was really difficult, as many thought that he was 'too big' a name on TV.
Exclusive Interview With Ram Kapoor
Ram Kapoor says that the highs he has experienced since those days are deeply rooted in those moments of humility and patience. “There were good years when I was earning well, and then there were years when there was no work at all,” he recalls.
Despite the uncertainties, Ram Kapoor says he remained devoted to his work. After long years of hard work, he eventually achieved immense success with Ekta Kapoor's hit drama Kasamh Se, where he played the legendary role Jai Walia.
He described that show as a watershed moment for him, both professionally and emotionally.
“I give the credit to my daughter,” he adds with pride. “Just when Kasamh Se started, my daughter was born and I never looked back. The minute she came, everything changed,” he said.
Ram appreciated Gautami's financial assistance as well as her belief in his skill and persistence. And he also believes that their connection is based on mutual respect and humour, which has helped to keep their marriage intact even now.
"Our marriage works because we don't take ourselves too seriously. We laugh a lot and joke, and that's what keeps things going. If you start taking life too seriously, it becomes too heavy to bear," he says with a smile on his face.
Ram Kapoor - a name to reckon with
After decades of working in television, movies, and OTT platforms, Ram Kapoor says he now has the freedom to choose both professionally and personally.
"I started at Rs 1,500 per day. It was challenging. But Gautami stood by me. And look where we are now," he said.
Ram Kapoor is now a name to reckon with in Bollywood, TV and OTT space. He was recently seen in the role of Armaan Mistry in OTT show Mistry.
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