“I Left My Comfort Zone, And That’s Why I Reached This Level Today”: Heital Puniwala

He had a comfortable and successful life while doing theatre in his hometown, Surat, Gujarat, but he chose to step out of that comfort zone and chase a larger dream in the world of acting. Actor Heital Puniwala, who has been part of films like Oh My God, PK, Bang Bang, Gabbar Is Back, Do Lafzon Ki Kahani, Judwaa 2, and Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani, was recently seen in Anurag Kashyap’s Kennedy. Popularly known as the “Ad King,” he has done over 450 advertisements to date, along with several star-studded, high-profile projects.

He said, "I would go everywhere, and even if the role did not fit me or I was not selected, I would still meet the casting director and get their email ID. Every night I would sit and mail everyone. This was a daily routine. I went to about 12 or 13 places in a day and gave auditions. Out of those, I would get shortlisted for about three or four ads. That is how I started getting ads. I have done over 450 ads to date." 

"I realized my audition should be with every producer, every director, and every production house, no matter what. Even if it was just an intro, it had to be there. I went from Virar to Churchgate wherever I was called. What did I have to lose by going once and taking a chance? So I used to go. That's how a lot of work came to me," he added. 

He did not wait for opportunities to come to him; instead, he knocked at every door and created opportunities for himself. "If an opportunity comes, I will definitely accept it, but for the opportunities that haven't come to me, where do I find them and how do I catch them?" That was my principle. That’s why I never sat at home," he said. 

"I didn't keep any luxury items in my house. These things matter a lot in life, like how much of your comfort zone you leave. I left my comfort zone, and that’s why I reached this level today," he added. 

His first ad was a big project, and the payment was good too. He said, "I gave auditions with 100% devotion. No compromises at all; if I had to go for an audition, I went. People know me today by the name 'Ad King' because I’ve done many advertisements." 

"Following that, I started getting films. Rajkumar Hirani saw me and called me for PK, then movies like Oh My God, PK, Bang Bang, Gabbar Is Back, and the others happened," Heital added.