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Actor Kanwar Dhillon, who is currently winning hearts as Sachin in Udne Ki Aasha, believes that genuine friendships are rare and become even more valuable with time. While his profession allows him to meet new people every day, he says his strongest and most enduring bonds are still with the friends he grew up with.
“I don’t have a very large circle of friends. My real friends are the people I have known since school. There are just three or four of them, but they are like family. There are no formalities between us, and I can count on them for the smallest things,” Kanwar says.
The actor admits that while he knows many people and has formed several friendships over the years, not every bond necessarily stands the test of time, especially in the entertainment industry.
“I know a lot of people and have many friends, but industry friendships are different. Many of them fade away with time. Only a few people have remained constant in my life. The friendships that begin in childhood and stay with you as you grow up are the ones that truly last. Those people are not just friends, they become family,” he says.
Talking about how he deals with difficult phases in life, Kanwar reveals that he has always believed in being his own support system rather than expecting others to solve his problems.
“I have never really depended on anyone during tough times. Whether it was a personal or professional setback, I have always believed that you have to become your own warrior and your own support system. Everyone has their own struggles, so I never blame my friends for not being there all the time,” he shares.
Kanwar feels that while making friends in the television industry is easy, maintaining those relationships over the years can be challenging.
“You meet new people every day, so making friends is not difficult. But sustaining those friendships is challenging because this industry comes with insecurities and competition. Sometimes you don’t know if people are genuinely happy for your success. I have always celebrated my friends’ achievements, but I haven’t always received the same support in return. That has taught me to value genuine relationships even more,” he says.
Despite spending several years in the industry and experiencing the ups and downs that come with it, Kanwar says success has never changed his closest relationships.
“My friendships have stayed the same. My core group has never changed, and neither has our bond. We don’t judge each other, and we are completely ourselves when we are together. Some people who came into my life later have naturally filtered out, but my childhood friends are still my biggest strength,” he says.
The actor also speaks fondly about his oldest friend, Monish, whom he has known since junior kindergarten.
“We have been together since Junior KG. He has seen every phase of my life and is like a third brother in my family. Some friendships go beyond words. They are built on trust, comfort and celebrating each other’s happiness without any insecurity,” he shares.
With demanding shooting schedules, Kanwar admits that he often misses outings and gatherings with his friends, but he makes a conscious effort to stay connected.
“Most plans happen after pack-up. Sometimes I miss gatherings because of work, but my friends understand my profession. Whenever I get the time, I make sure to meet them properly, even if it means sacrificing a little sleep. Some relationships are simply worth making time for,” he concludes.
