When Azaad released earlier this year, Mohitt Maalik hoped his Bollywood debut would open new doors. While the film failed to make a mark at the box office, it did lead him to Mirzapur: The Film, where he plays a mysterious new character.Reflecting on Azaad, Mohitt says, “I expected it to do very well, but it didn’t. However, it will always remain close to my heart. My work was appreciated, and fortunately that got me the film Mirzapur,” he says, adding that maker Gurmmeet Singh and his team watched the film and reached out to him. That experience has only strengthened his belief that an actor’s focus should remain on the work, not the weekend collections.“I want to do good films, work with the best directors, learn, better my craft and become a better actor. Fame, money and success are byproducts. The only thing that has always mattered to me, whether on television or in films, is doing my job to the best of my abilities,” he says. Talking about his part in Mirzapur, Mohitt says, “It’s a powerful character. Nobody has seen him before or knows who he is, and that’s what makes him interesting. I can only reveal that he is a revengeful lover.”Box:‘Television is a comfortable space, but if you want to grow, you have to be uncomfortable’After over 15 years on television, Mohitt says his shift to films and OTT meant beginning from scratch, including auditioning for roles. “People know you, but they haven’t seen your work in this space. You have to hustle, meet people and audition. I don’t know why actors shy away from auditions,” he says.He believes starting over also means leaving one’s ego behind. “After 15-16 years on television, your ego tells you, you’ve done enough. But that ego has to be broken every time. Television is a comfortable space, but if you want to grow, you have to be uncomfortable. I don’t want to become comfortable and do mediocre stuff,” he says. For the actor, the focus remains unchanged. “I’m continuously working on myself and my craft because, at the end of the day, only good work gets you more good work. Nothing else matters.”