Actor Jason Shah has been a part of the Hindi film industry for nearly eight years. A quick glance at his filmography reveals that he has predominantly been cast in roles as British officers from the pre-Independence era, whether in Hindi movies or TV shows. “I would love to discuss with a few directors and show them that I can portray a variety of characters. Many of my friends in America often tell me, ‘You’re wasting your time in India. You could have achieved so much more here.’ But India is a significant part of my identity. I was born and raised here, and it’s so ingrained in me that I sometimes feel more Indian than those around me,” Jason shares.
Contrary to some online sources, Jason clarifies that he was born in Malabar Hills, Mumbai, not Ireland. “I’ve never been to Ireland,” he laughs.
In 2016, Jason played a small, uncredited role in the movie Fitoor. That same year, he entered the controversial reality show Bigg Boss as a wild card contestant. “I never intended to do Bigg Boss. It was a last-minute decision influenced by my then agency, who believed it would boost my followers and fame,” Jason reveals.
Reflecting on his time in Bigg Boss, Jason recalls, “Bigg Boss is not a talent show; it’s more about enduring the chaos. I fell extremely ill and fainted on the show, which led to me being rushed to the hospital. I never received clear answers about what went wrong physically, and this has always troubled me. I wasn’t comfortable returning to the show. I was unprepared, having never watched it before. When I joined, I noticed Bani was given protein powder. Had I known, I would have brought my own. It might have been my fault for not researching properly, and everything happened so quickly. After I left, there were rumors that I had fought with the producers, but the truth is, I was carried out and hospitalized for three days. It was a nightmare I wouldn’t wish on anyone. I even requested my family doctor to be consulted, but no one was willing to help.”
Jason’s experiences highlight the challenges he has faced in his acting career and reality TV, shedding light on the difficulties behind the scenes.
