Veteran Actress Ahsaas Channa: 'You Can't Make Money as an Actor'

In a recent interview, veteran actress Ahsaas Channa, who starred alongside Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta in the 2006 film 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna', has shared a surprising revelation about the acting industry. Channa, who also appeared as a boy in Sushmita Sen's 2004 release 'Vaastu Shastra', has stated that one cannot make a sustainable living solely through acting.

The actress explained that while she does earn money from acting, the income is not enough to rely on it as a primary source. Instead, Channa focuses on brand deals and endorsements, which she says can provide a much larger income. She shared that she would typically manage one or two acting projects in a year, but can do up to 20 brand deals annually to make a "bigger amount of money."

Channa considers herself "privileged" and "lucky" that she can be selective about the projects she takes on, rather than having to accept anything just for the sake of getting paid. The actress acknowledged that brands are her "backup" and that she is sometimes okay with not taking on an acting project in a given year.

Despite the financial challenges, Channa has fond memories of working with Shah Rukh Khan on 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna'. She described the superstar as "humble" and "hard-working," recalling how he would be the first to clap for her after a difficult shot. Channa's insights shed light on the realities of sustaining a career in the acting industry, where brand endorsements can often be more lucrative than the acting work itself.