Faisal Malik, widely recognized as Prahlad Pandey in the popular series 'Panchayat', has become a household name. However, his journey to success was far from easy. Before the fame and recognition, Malik faced immense hardships in Mumbai, including sleeping at railway stations.

Malik's story is a testament to the struggles many aspiring actors face when they arrive in the city of dreams. Coming from Allahabad (now Prayagraj), where his father worked in the irrigation department and his mother was a teacher, Malik harbored dreams of making it big in Bollywood. He believed acting would be a quick path to earning money. At the age of 22, he informed his brother, Saif Malik, of his plans to join an acting class in Mumbai.

However, Mumbai presented a starkly different reality. Malik soon realized that breaking into the acting world required more than just talent; it demanded financial stability and perseverance. The initial period was exceptionally challenging. Although his family provided financial support, Malik felt ashamed to rely on them. Within six months of arriving in Mumbai, he made the difficult decision to become self-sufficient and stopped asking for money from home.

This decision led to a period of extreme hardship. Malik faced homelessness and had to resort to sleeping at railway stations, paying a meager Rs 10 a night for shelter. He doesn't dwell much on those days, stating that those experiences were a necessary part of his journey.

Despite the setbacks, Malik's determination didn't waver. He transitioned into different roles within the industry to sustain himself. His first job was with Sahara Channel, secured through singer Kailash Kher. He worked during the day and learned editing at night. After six months, he began editing promos for shows, eventually moving to Zee Cinema as a promo producer. This provided him with a stable income.

Malik's entry into acting happened unexpectedly. While working as a promo producer, he crossed paths with Anurag Kashyap, who was filming 'Gangs of Wasseypur' in Varanasi. Kashyap invited Malik to join the production. An incident where an actor supposed to play Inspector Gopal Singh in the slaughter house scene fled, led to Malik stepping in and landed his first role.

Even after 'Gangs of Wasseypur', Malik didn't actively pursue acting. He returned to his production work. He took on roles that came his way through friends, including cop roles in 'Fraud Saiyaan' and 'Black Widows'. His portrayal of Prahlad Pandey in 'Panchayat' significantly altered the course of his career, bringing him widespread recognition and acclaim.

Reflecting on his journey, Malik acknowledges the long and arduous path he has traveled. The success of 'Panchayat' has opened doors to numerous opportunities, but he remains mindful of being typecast. After 20 years, he feels he's finally getting his due as an actor and is embracing the present with gratitude.