Mumbai, the city of dreams, beckons all. While some chase their dreams, there are others whom dreams chase. We spoke to a few television artistes to whom acting happened by chance and brought them name and fame.

Achint Kaur: plays Vedika in Sony's Virrudh
Well, it is a very long story and I don't want to bore you with the details. I always wanted to be an achiever. I was preparing for the Indian Police Services when I got married. Even in those days, I used to crave for fame.

I experimented a lot, like in designing. But acting came to me on a platter. Someone offered me a role and I thought of giving it a try. So frankly speaking, I never dreamt of getting into the television industry. It was a total fluke.

Gaurav Khanna: plays Ruhaan in Zee TV's show Meri Doli Tere Angana
I came to Mumbai in July 2003 for reasons no way related to acting. I came here to do my MBA and after completing it, I worked as a marketing manager in a firm for nine months. Acting was never on the cards.

One day, I was exercising at the gym when a person, taking me for a professional model, approached me with an advertisement offer. I took it up and then continued in the same line. Till now, I have done over a dozen advertisements and also walked many ramps.

Paayel Sarkar: plays Shruti in SAB TV's show Love Story
I'm from Bengal and I had never thought that I would become an actress. I was doing my graduation and working when I started getting offers from the film industry so I thought of giving it a try.

Shubhangi Atre: plays Kasturi in Star Plus's show Kasturi.
I was a dancer when I landed a few advertisement offers. After that, a photographer friend of mine urged me to try my luck at the auditions of Balaji in Pune. Though I auditioned for Kasturi, I was given a role in Kasautii.... It's only last night that I was told about being selected to play the lead in Kasturi.

Rati Pandey: plays Prarthana in Zee TV's show Har Ghar Kuch Kehta Hai
I was always interested in business since I have studied commerce. I came to Mumbai to try my luck in the glamour world. Somehow, Ajay Sinha saw my pictures and called me for auditions. Unfortunately, that project got shelved, but I stayed back in the city and tried in other production houses. Within 15 days, I started getting offers. So this is how it all began.

Mishal Raheja: plays Akash in SAB TV's show Love Story
I'm a Mumbai boy and I did my graduation from HR College. Then I went to America for further studies. I also worked in New York for sometime but I was not getting the mental satisfaction I was looking for. I always felt that I should go back to India and fulfill my dreams. And ultimately that's what I did. I came back to India and here I'm, acting.

Pariva Pranati: lead in Sunjoy Wadhwa's yet-to-be-titled show
A: I did my college from Delhi and like many other girls, I wanted to enter the glamour world. Thus, I came to Mumbai to get into the television industry. I got my portfolio done before starting out in acting. -Compiled by Mili Swarnakar