A story of Aishwarya Rai’s hero Abbas – From stardom to struggle, the journey of a taxi driver actor in New Zealand.
Table of Contents
How to become a ’90s heartthrob
Do you remember Abbas? That charming actor who won hearts in the 90s? Starting with “Kadhal Desam”, he quickly climbed the ladder of success, sharing the screen with Aishwarya Rai in “Jeans” and “Kandukondain Kandukondain“.
His filmography included big names like Ajith Kumar, Mammootty, and even Shah Rukh Khan.
When the spotlight started fading
But fame is a very strange thing. In the early 2000s, Abbas had to face flops.
That actor who used to do lead roles, now started appearing in supporting parts.
Remember “Minnale”, with Madhavan in 2001? That was the beginning of his career decline.
That moment when everything fell apart
“I was not happy with my work,” Abbas said openly in an interview.
This disappointment was so great that he once asked his friends not to watch his Bollywood debut “Ansh: The Deadly Part”, calling them “fools”.
No start in New Zealand
Tired of the industry, Abbas packed his stuff and went to New Zealand. Pride had to be kept aside when survival became necessary.
The former star, who had a romance with Aishwarya Rai, now became a bike mechanic and taxi driver to support his family.
Respect even in tough times
Life in New Zealand came with its challenges. While working on construction sites, Abbas avoided using the toilets there.
“I would go to the petrol pump, buy something and use the restroom there,” he said.
Sometimes people would recognize him—their shocked reactions would remind him of his old life.
Finding a purpose even in pain
Abbas’s life story is not just about downfalls. Even in his darkest teenage moment—when he was standing on the side of the road after failing in 10th and contemplating suicide—he found compassion.
“I saw a man driving a car and thought: If I did something, it would have impacted that man’s life too.”
Connection during the pandemic
Even though he wasn’t a fan of social media, Abbas made an exception during COVID-19.
He used Zoom calls to connect with fans and help others by sharing his experiences.
Comeback attempt
His last attempt at a comeback in entertainment came through an advertisement for a toilet-cleaning liquid.
Ego aside, he accepted the job so that he could run the house. His last credited acting role was almost a decade ago.
Abbas’s journey in the unpredictable world of showbiz reminds us that sometimes the biggest power in life is in accepting change, no matter how humble he may be.
