Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota actor Abhimanyu Dassani on his big Bollywood debut

WHO: Abhimanyu Dassani

WHAT: Actor.

WHY YOU SHOULD KNOW HIM: For his lauded portrayal of Surya, the protagonist of director Vasan Bala’s sleeper hit, Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota.

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ROLE PLAY: “I had to get into the best shape of my life; I trained 9 hours a day for 10 months—martial arts, meditation, weapons training, and swimming.”

WHAT HE LOVES ABOUT HIS CHARACTER: “He wears his heart on his sleeve.”

BOLLYWOOD BEGINNINGS: “When I was 19, I persuaded Rohan Sippy to let me intern on one of his projects. That’s how I went on to bag my first gig, as the assistant director on Dum Maaro Dum (2011).

HIGH POINT: “The world premiere of Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota at Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). We got a standing ovation from 1,200 people.”

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LIFE LESSON: “Believe in yourself, always give it all you’ve got, and remember that patience and perseverance will get you everywhere.”