From growing up in a curfew situation in his hometown Kashmir to earning Rs 2.5 lakhs a day after becoming an actor; Aly Goni opens up about struggles and journey in TV industry

Aly Goni, known for his role in Yeh Hai Mohabbatein, recently appeared on Bharti Singh and Haarsh Limbachiyaa's podcast, sharing insights about his life journey. He shared how his early life was filled with financial difficulties and a challenging lifestyle, including his attempts to make money through small modelling jobs. He discussed his struggles growing up in Kashmir under curfew, his rise to success as an actor, and his current earnings of Rs 2.5 lakh per day in the TV industry. Aly also talked about his efforts in setting up his business and the progress he's made. (Photo: Instagram)

When I was 19, I ran away from home and came to Mumbai, leaving my studies unfinished. Initially, I was captivated by the idea of life in Mumbai, dreaming of the excitement and the parties. I didn't think things through; I simply decided to move to Mumbai one day while staring at the ceiling fan in my hostel. I had a car, a second-hand one that my father had given me, which I had customized and loved dearly. (Photo: Instagram)

I sold it for Rs 70,000, even though it could have fetched me Rs 2 to 2.5 lakhs. My parents advised me to finish my studies before coming to Mumbai, and realizing they wouldn't support my decision, I sold the car out of necessity. I then modelled for a while in Delhi, but it was a challenging experience. (Photo: Instagram)

I hail from Jammu and Kashmir, and we often view Kashmir through a unique perspective. It's heartening to see so many young people from Kashmir today pursuing their dreams in singing or acting. However, when I was growing up, things were quite challenging. My childhood was very difficult, as we spent a significant part of our lives under curfew. While children today enjoy a better quality of life, my early years in Bhadarwah were very different. (Photo: Instagram)

I was born in 1991, on a day when an encounter was taking place right outside the hospital in Kashmir. Only my mother and one relative were with me, while the rest of my family was stuck at home because of the curfew. Since phones weren't working, no one knew I had been born. The early '90s were a time of intense conflict as militancy had just started. (Photo: Instagram)

Growing up in Bhadarwah was tough because of the frequent curfews that kept us stuck at home. I could only go to school once or twice a month due to these restrictions. Seeing that it wasn’t a good place for kids, my father chose to move us to Jammu, where things were calmer. In Jammu, I started going to school regularly, meeting new people, and experiencing life more normally. (Photo: Instagram)

Before we moved, my sister and I stayed home a lot because of frequent attacks and blasts, which made our parents worried for our safety. We barely went outside. While Bhadarwah is now a popular place for tourists, it was not safe in the 90s. After we moved to Jammu, I got to experience life more fully. I started learning dance and earned a Taekwondo black belt. I can’t imagine where I would be today if my father hadn't decided to move us to Jammu. (Photo: Instagram)

My father had to leave behind his factory and everything we had in Bhadarwah to move us to Jammu for a better life. It was a big sacrifice. Although it’s often thought that only Kashmiri Pandits were affected, even those who didn’t want to get involved had to leave to keep their children safe. We also had to leave our home. My parents wanted to protect us from danger and bad influences, and it took us a long time to rebuild our lives. (Photo: Instagram)

Seeing all this made me realize how important money is. I believe that having money is crucial, even if people say it can’t buy happiness. For me, money matters a lot because I’ve seen my parents struggle to gather Rs 5000 for my school fees. I want to make sure I can provide happiness and comfort for my family. When I first arrived in Mumbai, nobody knew, not even my cousins. I stayed in a rather rundown building with a few friends. I shared a place with one friend and some other boys. While many actors aspire to become superstars, I gradually realized that it's okay not everyone can achieve that. I'm simply grateful for what I have and try to avoid living a depressed life. (Photo: Instagram)

Today, social media offers a platform to earn. Back then, we didn't have such resources. I used to take on costume shoots, earning just Rs 150 per shoot. Asim Riaz was also part of this, and we would often change outfits multiple times to maximize our earnings. We even fainted once or twice from hunger because we didn't eat all day, trying to complete as many shoots as possible to earn Rs 5000. Photographers would sometimes ask us to leave, but we were attractive enough to get noticed. (Photo: Instagram)

It took me 11-12 years to establish myself and acquire a house and car, so people should realize that success takes time. Nowadays, it’s hard to turn down TV offers. For instance, if I work on television now, I earn Rs 2.5 lakh per day. Working 25 days a month could easily bring in Rs 60-70 lakh, amounting to Rs 7-8 crores annually. However, I’ve learned that relationships, family, and health are equally important. I’m currently doing a weekly TV show, in fact all of us who are doing it because it is a weekly show. (Photo: Instagram)

My main focus and goal are my business. I meet new people every day because I believe that dedicating four years to my business will enable me to produce two films. I've noticed significant progress since I started. I've also registered my business in Canada, and the packaging we're doing here now, we will soon manufacture our own clothes. My business is attracting people from various countries. (Photo: Instagram)

There are moments when you feel the urge to return home, and the reasons can vary. Sometimes it's because work isn't coming your way, or you start struggling with depression. This city has a way of exhausting your mind quickly. People often say it's depression or anxiety, but I believe that just like your body gets tired, your mind does too. In this city, your brain is constantly working around the clock. One of my friends, after living in Mumbai for a few months, called me and said, "I can't sleep at night because my mind is still racing, even when I'm supposed to be resting."