Aftab Shivdasani started his career as a child actor, balancing school and film shoots. He acknowledged always being an outsider in the industry since he did not have a film family background. Despite this, he persevered through various challenges, including rumors and industry dynamics. He shared that one rumor even claimed he was dead, highlighting the strange and often unfounded stories that circulate about actors.
Shivdasani gained recognition for his roles in comedy films such as Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega and Awara Paagal Deewana. He described his first experience working in an adult comedy with Masti, inspired partly by the American Pie series. He defended the Masti franchise against criticism, emphasizing the camaraderie among the cast during filming and the joy of working on such projects. The friendship he developed on set, especially with co-star Riteish Deshmukh, was a significant part of his experience.
Aftab spoke fondly of reuniting with former co-stars Akshay Kumar, Raveena Tandon, Suniel Shetty, and Lara Dutta in various projects, reflecting on the positive bonds formed. He shared how Akshay Kumar personally approached him for a role early in his career without an audition, a pivotal moment that felt like a dream come true. Aftab remains grounded, stating that while rumors may persist about his attitude or behavior, those who truly know him are aware of his real character, and the film industry is unforgiving of negative behavior.
"I know what my truth is. The people who matter know what my truth is... Whether I do it or not, people if they want to believe that I've done it, they will believe I've done it"
— Aftab Shivdasani
Recalling his child acting days, Aftab explained that being a child actor came with fewer responsibilities than being a lead actor. He highlighted that the challenges and expectations grow with lead roles, but his early start gave him valuable industry insight without the pressure of carrying a film's success on his shoulders.
Aftab Shivdasani's journey reflects resilience, humor, and sincere relationships in Bollywood, underscoring the complexity behind public perceptions and the shared camaraderie in film projects like Masti.