By Nazakat Aslam
“I was recently approached to star in a series about Kashmir. However, upon thoroughly reviewing the entire narrative, I couldn’t find it within myself to portray the role, as I pondered whether the storyline truly reflected reality, considering my awareness of the concept of what really goes around.”
Aly Goni is a notable figure in the television industry with a vast and dedicated fan base. Throughout his career, he has graced multiple shows, captivating audiences with his impressive acting skills and appealing appearances. Aly’s breakthrough came with his portrayal of Romi Bhalla in Ekta Kapoor’s acclaimed series, Yeh Hai Mohabbatein. Following this success, he continued to shine in various daily soaps and reality shows.
During a candid discussion with Kashmiri Observer’s team Beyond the Headline, Aly Goni recollects his struggle and his path to recognition at a time when social media was still in its infancy.
“At approximately 18 years of age, I journeyed to Bombay during a challenging era, characterized by a scarcity of platforms to exhibit our talents. We would approach production houses with portfolios in hand, seeking recognition. Meanwhile, I also witnessed the emergence of alternative mediums, such as Instagram, which offered new avenues for popularity and acclaim.”, Goni said.
He elaborated on his extensive experience in television, having been involved in numerous TV shows, with a significant portion of them produced by Balaji Telefilms. He also shared that it took him three years of perseverance before finally landing his first show.
“The turning point in my career can be attributed to my first show, “Yeh Hai Mohabbatein.” Regarded as one of the finest productions to this day, it received widespread acclaim and consistently topped the charts.
“Although I continued to work in other shows, it was my involvement in reality shows like “Khatron Ke Khiladi” and “Bigg Boss” that led to even better recognition for me”, he added.
When asked about his journey and particularly his experience working with superstar Salman Khan on Bigg Boss, he spoke highly of the star’s well-known kindness and exceptional humanness.
Regarding Bollywood’s portrayal of the real side of Jammu and Kashmir and the potential biases, he noted that in the past, several films were made about the region, but they were treated merely as cinematic works. However, he expressed that the perception of those films among the locals has changed over time, and they often regard movies as a misrepresentation or deception.
“To be honest, I chose not to watch Kashmir Files because I don’t wish to form opinions about events that occurred before my time. My family and the people in my hometown have a different perspective from the one being depicted, and I don’t want conflicting narratives to influence me. I hold a strong emotional bond with Kashmir and take pride in my origins. In the past, it felt like my brothers, Kashmir and Jammu, were experiencing contrasting realities, but I am now glad to see positive changes happening in the region.”, Aly commented.
When asked about his upcoming projects, Goni mentioned that he had signed a few movies that eventually didn’t materialize. However, he emphasized that he doesn’t dwell on such setbacks. He expressed that he values giving himself ample time to make thoughtful choices and not rushing into anything merely for the sake of it.
“Lately, I have been actively involved in creating music videos, including a recent one with B Praak, and I’m making sincere efforts to maintain connections in the industry. Nowadays, social media can offer substantial financial gains, that may be a reason why actors are not that desperate for roles. I’ve been diligently working on my own script for the past year or two, although I anticipate that it will take some additional time before completion.”
Finally, speaking about his love life, Goni mentioned that he and Jasmin Bhasin are not in a rush to tie the knot and will do so when they feel the time is ideal.
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