The uncertainty is the most non-glam thing: Paresh Pahuja gets real about showbiz

Away from the emotional intensity of his performances and cinematic concert spaces, Paresh Pahuja carries a surprisingly dry sense of humour. During a rapid-fire round while in an interview with us in Pune, the actor-musician moved effortlessly between self-awareness, absurdity and honesty — often within the same sentence.When asked what his life’s background score would sound like, Pahuja immediately hummed the iconic Kuch Kuch Hota Hai theme, once again revealing the deep emotional imprint Shah Rukh Khan-era cinema continues to hold over him. When asked about his ideal Pune itinerary, however, the answer became much simpler. “Have chai, have better chai, have more chai,” he laughed. The actor also admitted there are still parts of the entertainment industry that continue to confuse him despite spending years inside it.

“Numbers,” he says instantly. “Box office numbers.” But perhaps the most revealing moment came when Pahuja was asked about the least glamorous part of his profession — a question he answered without romanticising the struggle. “Sitting around for six months and waiting for work,” he says. “The uncertainty is the most non-glam thing.” And yet, like most artists who survive long enough in entertainment, he seems oddly at peace with that instability too. “I think we thrive on that,” he adds.