Meet Salman's co-star whose mother worked as domestic help, he thought of quitting acting, first film changed his life

Written and directed by Gopi Puthran, the 2019 action thriller Mardaani 2 was headlined by Rani Mukerji. It was the sequel of the 2014 film Mardaani. Just like Mardaani in which Tahir Raj Bhasin shined as the main antagonist, Vishal Jethwa stole the show as the villain in Mardaani 2. The 2019 release also marked the film debut of Vishal, who had previously starred in several TV shows.

It wasn't an easy journey for Vishal before he began acting. He lost his father at the age of 14 and was raised by a single mother, who worked as domestic help. In an interview with Bollywood Bubble in 2022, the actor revealed that his mother washed utensils and mop floors at other people's houses.

Their financial health improved when Vishal landed the lead role of Akbar on Bharat Ka Veer Putra - Maharana Pratap in 2013. The actor continued playing historical and mythological characters such as Bali in Sankatmochan Mahabali Hanuman and the Nizam of Hyderabad Nasir Jung in Peshwa Bajirao. In an intervie with India.com in 2022, Vishal said that since he was being offered similar roles, he almost thought of quitting the industry as he said, "There was a time when I used to doubt myself. I thought whatever I could do, I did. People will cast me in all similar roles. The thoughts of quitting the industry and giving up also overpowered my mind."

 

 

 

 

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But, his first film Mardaani 2 changed his life. He then played Kajol's on-screen son and the titular character in the 2022 film Salaam Venky. In the action thriller Tiger 3 released in 2023, Vishal played Hassan, the adopted son of Tiger (Salman Khan) and Zoya (Katrina Kaif). The Maneesh Sharma directorial proved to be a major hit and grossed Rs 466 crore at the global box office.

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