11 Bollywood Celebs Who Did Odd Jobs Before They Became Famous

Though they are known for their star status today, these 11 Bollywood celebrities weren't born with a silver spoon! They earned all the fame and power purely by their determination and hard-work!

Dilip Kumar

One of the greatest actors ever, Dilip Kumar (earlier Yusuf Khan) had earned his success. Before fame came his way, Dilip used to work as a fruit-seller in Peshawar (currently in Pakistan). His father had a fruit shop there. Their family came to Mumbai after the partition of India.

Dev Anand

He was a craze among girls during his heydays. But did you have an idea that Dev Anand had worked as a clerk in a Censor's Office, located in Mumbai's Church Gate area? His used to get Rs. 165 as his monthly salary then.

Rajinikanth

Rajini's ardent fans worship him as a God today. But before reaching this powerful position, Rajinikanth used to work as a bus conductor to earn his living. Also, he would work as a coolie to make some extra money.

Akshay Kumar

The Khiladi Kumar was a waiter and dishwasher at a restaurant in Bangkok. Then, he graduated to be a chef, and his monthly salary used to be Rs. 1500. Akshay used to sleep on the kitchen floor.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui

Born in a famer's family in Uttar Pradesh, Nawazuddin had eight siblings. He used to earn his bread and butter by working as a chemist there. Then, he moved to Delhi and worked as a watchman for one and a half years. This is when he developed an interest in theatre, and joined The National School of Drama.

Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra

Before he jumped into filmmaking, Rakeysh, an SRCC alumnus, used to serve tea on film sets. He had also worked as a vacuum cleaner salesman.

Johnny Walker

Badruddin Jamaluddin Kazi, better known as the actor-comedian Johnny Walker, used to be a bus conductor in Mumbai before Guru Dutt spotted his talent.

Boman Irani

Boman was a waiter and a room service attendant in Mumbai's Taj Mahal Palace Hotel before trying his luck in films. He also used to help his mother run their ancestral bakery shop. He then took to photography and joined theatre before Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. came his way.

Mehmood

Celebrated for his brilliant comic timing, Mehmood used to work as a driver, poultry seller and did various other odd jobs before making acting his profession. He had also worked as table tennis teacher to Meena Kumari. But when the comedian turned a father, he gave acting a serious thought.

Smriti Irani

Smriti had big dreams about her career, which is why she left Delhi for Mumbai and entered Femina Miss India 1997. After she failed to make it to the crown, she had to face financial crisis. She took up a job of scrubbing floors in McDonald's. Soon, she was approached to play Tulsi, and there was no looking back for her.

Rakhi Sawant

Rakhi had begun her struggle when she was a small girl. At 10, she used to work for a caterer and earned daily wages of Rs. 50. She even claims to have served food at Anil and Tina Ambani's wedding. Rakhi has also worked as a bar dancer to earn her living. Then, she did small roles in a number of B-grade movies before the item number, Mohabbat Hai Mirchi from Chura Liyaa Hai Tumne (2003), fell into her lap.