Kiara Advani recalls struggling after Fugly failed, even MS Dhoni didn't help much: 'After Kabir Singh, there was no looking back'
ETimes | May 10, 2026 11:39 PM CST
Kiara Advani recently opened up about the struggles she faced during the early years of her career, especially after the release of her debut film Fugly . The actress also shared how she eventually landed an opportunity in Lust Stories , a project that proved to be a turning point in her journey.
During a conversation on Raj Shamani’s podcast, Kiara reflected on the lows in her career and how those phases shaped her as an actor and individual.
Kiara Advani says failures became her biggest teachersTalking about her journey, Kiara shared that every setback came with a lesson. “I really feel like there is something that I’ve learnt from every single experience and it has shaped me today. It’s the lows that have been my biggest teachers. Till date, people think that MS Dhoni: The Untold Story or Kabir Singh was my first film, because those were the commercial hits. Fugly was my first film, not many people saw it, many people might google it now,” she said.
The actress further revealed that after the film failed commercially, work opportunities became limited. “After that film, there was a big lull because the film didn’t open well. However, critically, several critics praised my performance. But nothing translated into work. So, it was the same waiting game of going to auditions, some making it, some not,” she shared.
Kiara admitted that actors who do not deliver commercial successes early in their careers often face a tougher road. “When you are starting off and don’t deliver commercially, the opportunities coming your way are much less. The process is longer. Till date, I feel that was the best thing that happened to me,” she added.
‘Even after Dhoni , it was the same story’Despite finding recognition with MS Dhoni: The Untold Story, Kiara said the struggle did not end overnight. According to the actor, things only truly changed after the release of Kabir Singh.
“Even after Dhoni, it was the same story. Kabir Singh released in 2019 and then there was no looking back. Those five years had a lot of auditions, waiting, rejections and a few films that I was shooting for. I knew work would bring work, and that actually happened. That’s the age when you are so driven about giving your best,” she said.
Kiara also recalled starring in Machine, directed by filmmaker duo Abbas-Mustan. While the film was heavily criticised online, she remains grateful for the experience.
“It was heavily trolled on social media. I am very grateful for that wonderful experience on set, which helped me learn a lot. I did a song in that film, ‘Tu Cheez Badi Hai Mast Mast’, and that’s when Manish Malhotra noticed me. He didn’t know me at all, and he went and told Karan Johar because he thought, ‘Iss ladki mein namak hai.’ That’s when I was offered Lust Stories,” she recalled.
On the work front, Kiara recently returned to work after welcoming her first child with husband Sidharth Malhotra . She will next be seen in Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-ups alongside Yash.
During a conversation on Raj Shamani’s podcast, Kiara reflected on the lows in her career and how those phases shaped her as an actor and individual.
Kiara Advani says failures became her biggest teachersTalking about her journey, Kiara shared that every setback came with a lesson. “I really feel like there is something that I’ve learnt from every single experience and it has shaped me today. It’s the lows that have been my biggest teachers. Till date, people think that MS Dhoni: The Untold Story or Kabir Singh was my first film, because those were the commercial hits. Fugly was my first film, not many people saw it, many people might google it now,” she said.
The actress further revealed that after the film failed commercially, work opportunities became limited. “After that film, there was a big lull because the film didn’t open well. However, critically, several critics praised my performance. But nothing translated into work. So, it was the same waiting game of going to auditions, some making it, some not,” she shared.
Kiara admitted that actors who do not deliver commercial successes early in their careers often face a tougher road. “When you are starting off and don’t deliver commercially, the opportunities coming your way are much less. The process is longer. Till date, I feel that was the best thing that happened to me,” she added.
‘Even after Dhoni , it was the same story’Despite finding recognition with MS Dhoni: The Untold Story, Kiara said the struggle did not end overnight. According to the actor, things only truly changed after the release of Kabir Singh.
“Even after Dhoni, it was the same story. Kabir Singh released in 2019 and then there was no looking back. Those five years had a lot of auditions, waiting, rejections and a few films that I was shooting for. I knew work would bring work, and that actually happened. That’s the age when you are so driven about giving your best,” she said.
Kiara also recalled starring in Machine, directed by filmmaker duo Abbas-Mustan. While the film was heavily criticised online, she remains grateful for the experience.
“It was heavily trolled on social media. I am very grateful for that wonderful experience on set, which helped me learn a lot. I did a song in that film, ‘Tu Cheez Badi Hai Mast Mast’, and that’s when Manish Malhotra noticed me. He didn’t know me at all, and he went and told Karan Johar because he thought, ‘Iss ladki mein namak hai.’ That’s when I was offered Lust Stories,” she recalled.
On the work front, Kiara recently returned to work after welcoming her first child with husband Sidharth Malhotra . She will next be seen in Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-ups alongside Yash.
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