Mumbai, September 8, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Actor Manish Goel, known for shows such as ‘Anupamaa’, ‘Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii’, ‘Ghar Ek Mandir’, ‘Kasautii Zindagii Kay’, ‘Bhabhi’ and ‘Devi’, has revealed that his dream of becoming an actor began with a school play in which he portrayed Lord Ram.
Recalling the experience, Manish said he was around eight or nine years old when he participated in an inter-school competition and played Ram in the ‘Bharat Milap’ scene.
“My journey into acting began in school. It was an inter-school competition where I played Ram in the Bharat Milap scene. I was probably cast because I was very lean and small. It was a 5-10 minute scene,” he said in a statement.
The actor recalled that he had a high fever on the day of the performance and was dressed in a dhoti with flowers covering his upper body. Despite being unwell, he went on stage with his mother’s support and completed the performance.
Although he received only a participation memento, the audience’s immediate response left a lasting impression on him.
“The instant clapping and appreciation on stage overwhelmed me, and I told my mom then that I wanted to become an actor. After that, for any skit, dance or play in school, I had to be there,” he said.
Manish credited Father Agnel School, which also has a branch in Bandra, Mumbai, and his teacher Bharti Malhotra for encouraging his interest in performing arts.
“I would like to thank my school, Father Agnel School, which also has a branch in Bandra, Bombay, and my teacher Bharti Malhotra who encouraged me. I was more on stage than in the classroom,” he said.
His passion for acting was further fuelled by his exposure to films at home. His father ran a salon, where Manish came across entertainment magazines. One of them carried an advertisement for Asha Chandra Acting Classes.
His father’s weekly cinema outings also became an important influence.
“Every Friday my father took us to watch cinema. After watching a film, I would come home and perform the same scenes in my room or bathroom, at times wearing costumes,” he recalled.
After completing his Class 12 board examinations from Kendriya Vidyalaya, Manish made his first trip to Mumbai, then known as Bombay, accompanying his friend Atul Gupta’s father, who had work in Borivali.
“You can say I ran away to see my dream city,” he said.
In 1992-93, Manish joined Asha Chandra’s acting classes but left within a few days after deciding that acting could not be taught.
His first opportunity in the entertainment industry came behind the camera through producer-director Anand Mahendroo, who was working on the television show ‘Dekh Bhai Dekh’.
Through a customer at his father’s salon, Manish met Mahendroo and secured a job as an assistant, a role he described as being similar to a spot dada.
“The editing office at Ajanta Hotel, Juhu became my home. The set was at R.K. Studio with Shekhar Suman, Farida Dadi, Urvashi Dholakia and Amar Upadhyay,” he said.
For three to four months, he handled tasks ranging from calling artistes and serving food to managing costumes, hoping that an acting opportunity would eventually come his way. When that did not happen, he returned to Delhi and joined an interior decoration business in South Extension.
However, his acting aspirations remained intact. Manish said he would bunk work to attend gym and dance classes.
A magazine advertisement eventually opened another door for him. At the shop, he spotted an advertisement for a “next Star face” competition featuring Amar Upadhyay’s photograph.
“I took Rs. 500 from my father’s counter, got my portfolio shot, and applied, getting my grandfather to sign the form. I cleared rounds in Delhi,” he said.
Around July-September 1995, he returned to Bombay for the final round at the Holiday Inn, now Novotel. Manish said he finished first among 28,000 applicants, with 34 contestants shortlisted from India and abroad.
Priya Gill and Vinay Jain were among the other winners, while his training was sponsored.
In 1996, Manish completed his stint at Stardust Academy, after which he said his “real struggle” in the industry began.
Looking back at his journey, the actor said that the school performance in which he played Lord Ram remained the defining moment that set him on his chosen path.
“That one school play changed my life – I still have that picture,” he said.
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