Ranveer Singh, known for being a livewire, says he takes his work seriously, but not himself.

Ranveer made his Bollywood debut in 2010 with the film "Band Baaja Baaraat" in the role of a Delhi boy, and he says that making a place in showbiz was no easy task.

The actor, who has also spoken about facing the casting couch while entering the industry, opened up about his struggle at an event here. The actor was in the national capital to pick up the Entertainer of the Year trophy at the NDTV Indian Of The Year 2015 award ceremony on Tuesday.

When asked about his journey, he said: `The hustle was too long, too many bitter pills to swallow. You have to swallow your pride and have to grovel a bit. Times, however, are changing. Things are getting more streamlined, there is much more straightforward approach, things are cleaning up.

"It isn't too far-fetched an idea that someone who doesn't come with lineage or legacy can get a foothold in the industry."

His mantra for success, he said, is: "I take my work seriously, not myself seriously."

With movies like "Ladies vs Ricky Bahl", "Lootera", "Gunday", "Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela" and "Bajirao Mastani", the actor has won over the masses as well as garnered rave reviews.