In my initial period, I faced a lot of difficulty and criticism: Jay Soni

A page from the personal diary of Jay Soni Hello everyone… I am Jay Soni whom you all recognize as Ishaan from Star Plus’ Sasural Genda Phool. I also made a wild card entry in Colors’ Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa season 5. To begin with, let me a talk a little about myself. Born in Mumbai, I was later sent to Gujarat from where I completed my schooling from St Fransis Convent School. Then again, I shifted to Mumbai where I did my graduation from Mithibai College. Here, I am staying here with my parents and two younger siblings (brothers). Now about my career… To start with, let me tell you that since when I was a kid, I never ever thought of being in the television industry. But things changed while I was in college. One of my friends informed me one day about an audition being conducted for an advertisement. Wanting to give it a try, I appeared for the audition and to my good luck got selected. I vividly remember that it was a Titan watch advertisement. After that, I got emboldened and thought of doing something big on television. Thus, started my struggling period. Initially, I started working on myself; worked on my body as I was fat then. Since my hold on Hindi was not that great, I worked on improving my Hindi diction. That was the time when I had faced a lot of difficulties and criticism. Whenever I used to go for auditions, producers used to tell me that I don’t have that spark and ‘X’ factor in me. But I never lost hope. I knew it very well that though I had talent, I lacked on my presentation. I feel though, for an actor, having talent is a must, but presentation is important too. So I really worked hard towards it and proved myself. Till date, I have done around 60 to 70 advertisements for big brands like Mc Donalds, Colgate, Max NewYork Life Insurance, Hero Honda, Virgin Mobile and many more. As far as television is concerned, I got my first break with Star Plus’ show Baa Bahoo Aur Baby in which I played Jigar. After that there was no looking back for me. I did many television shows like Remote Control, Dharti Ka Veer Yodha Prithviraj Chauhan and Comedy Circus Ka Jadoo, Sasural Genda Phool et al. I have done films too. They are Dil Maange More, Buddha Mar Gaya and MP3- Mera Pehla Pehla Pyaar. I have also hosted singing reality show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L'il Champs 2011. So this was journey. And I must say that it was not a cake walk for me. Here, I must give credit to my parents, who have been very supportive and encouraging. Enough about work, now a bit about myself. Well, I am a very simple kind of a person. I like to spend time with my friends and family. To unwind myself, I like to listen to music and also like to dance. Talking about my relationship status, I am very much single. I would want to date a girl who would be very genuine and be very understandable. Well this was my life… Lastly, all that I would like to say to all my fans is that I miss them a lot and very soon you will see me back on television. Till then… bye!!!