--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The first time I thought I should be an…" description: "\"The first time I thought I should be an actor was in school. I thought, 'At least this is something for which I won't have to study.' But I've realised..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee2/ranbir-kapoor-9336_about_the-first-time-i-thought-i-should-be-an_1103564.jpg" --- # The first time I thought I should be an actor was in… ![“The first time I thought I should be an actor was in school. I thought, 'At least this is something for which I won't have to study.' But I've realised that an actor needs to be constantly unsure about what he's doing and about what's going on around him. The moment you think you've nailed it…” quote by Ranbir Kapoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee2/ranbir-kapoor-9336_about_the-first-time-i-thought-i-should-be-an_1103564.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee2/ranbir-kapoor-9336_about_the-first-time-i-thought-i-should-be-an_1103564.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee2/ranbir-kapoor-9336_about_the-first-time-i-thought-i-should-be-an_1103564.jpg) > “The first time I thought I should be an actor was in school. I thought, 'At least this is something for which I won't have to study.' But I've realised that an actor needs to be constantly unsure about what he's doing and about what's going on around him. The moment you think you've nailed it, you're dead.” [Ranbir Kapoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ranbir-kapoor/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. An actor must stay uncertain and adaptable, never assuming mastery, to remain alive in the craft. **In simple terms:** Actors need constant doubt and flexibility. Key Takeaway Embrace uncertainty, keep learning. Themes creativity uncertainty growth Mood reflective inspired Type advice motivational When to use this quote - theatre auditions - film sets - career transitions - creative blocks Key Concepts method acting self-awareness Questions to Reflect On - How do you stay open to change in your work? - What habits keep you humble? A Different Perspective Overconfidence can stunt artistic development. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [About](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/about/) [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Actor Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor-needs-299739/) [Actor School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor-school-2300844/) [Around](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/around/) [Constantly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constantly/) [Constantly Unsure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constantly-unsure-2904630/) [Dead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dead/) [Doing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doing/) [First](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first/) [First time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-time/) [Going](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/going/) [He](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/he/) [Him](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/him/) [Moment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moment/) [Nailed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nailed/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [Realised](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/realised/) [Realised Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/realised-actor-1487891/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Something](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/something/) [Study](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/study/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) [Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think/) [Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought/) [Thought Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought-actor-1058560/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Unsure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unsure/) [Which](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/which/) [You](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/you/) ## Related quotes > [One of the great joys of being an actor is you get to go back to school.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-benjamin-hickey/one-of-the-great-joys-of-being-an-actor-is-you-get-to-go-back-to/) [John Benjamin Hickey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-benjamin-hickey/) > [I first decided to become an actor at school. A teacher gave us a play to do and that had a major impact. At…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-reno/i-first-decided-to-become-an-actor-at-school-a-teacher-gave-us-a-play/) [Jean Reno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-reno/) > [It's funny, when people want things to be very truthful and you're dealing with an inexperienced actor. I'm of the school that believes things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-williams/it-s-funny-when-people-want-things-to-be-very-truthful-and-you-re/) [Olivia Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-williams/) > [Before 'Sarkar,' I used to introduce myself as Kay Kay, the actor and then that got reduced to just Kay Kay as people realised…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-kay-menon/before-sarkar-i-used-to-introduce-myself-as-kay-kay-the-actor-and/) [Kay Kay Menon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-kay-menon/) > [It was only when I finished the course and left my graduation diploma on the bus that I realised I'd become an actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-d-arcy/it-was-only-when-i-finished-the-course-and-left-my-graduation-diploma/) [James D'arcy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-d-arcy/) > [I am very passionate about what I do; I give it 200 percent, and I don't think it will ever change. But I've realised…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shahid-kapoor/i-am-very-passionate-about-what-i-do-i-give-it-200-percent-and-i-don/) [Shahid Kapoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shahid-kapoor/) > [It was during 'Khoon Bhari Maang' that I realised that I can only become an actor and nothing else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rekha/it-was-during-khoon-bhari-maang-that-i-realised-that-i-can-only/) [Rekha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rekha/) > [Being an actress has the same requirements as being an actor, but it needs more. Fair, reed thin, tall, can lip-synch, can dance, can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shefali-shah/being-an-actress-has-the-same-requirements-as-being-an-actor-but-it/) [Shefali Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shefali-shah/) > [First of all, the actor needs to get out of the character's way. You follow the character without judgment or prejudice or preconceived ideas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-ryan/first-of-all-the-actor-needs-to-get-out-of-the-character-s-way-you/) [Amy Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-ryan/) > [TV is very much a producer and writer or creator-driven machine in the States. And I'm the kind of actor that needs to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-byrne/tv-is-very-much-a-producer-and-writer-or-creator-driven-machine-in/) [Rose Byrne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-byrne/) > [I do think that's so much a part of what being a director is - in working with actors - to really try and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-condon/i-do-think-that-s-so-much-a-part-of-what-being-a-director-is-in/) [Bill Condon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-condon/) > [Being large and muscular, you are not taken very seriously as an actor. When bigger roles come up and the actor needs to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-preston-rogers/being-large-and-muscular-you-are-not-taken-very-seriously-as-an-actor/) [James Preston Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-preston-rogers/) > [An artist can go paint, and a writer can go write, but an actor needs to get hired, needs somebody to say, 'Here, come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-glover/an-artist-can-go-paint-and-a-writer-can-go-write-but-an-actor-needs/) [John Glover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-glover/) > [Every actor needs someone to take a chance on them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robbie-amell/every-actor-needs-someone-to-take-a-chance-on-them/) [Robbie Amell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robbie-amell/) > [An actor needs something to stabilize his personality, something to nail down what he really is, not what he is currently pretending to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/humphrey-bogart/an-actor-needs-something-to-stabilize-his-personality-something-to/) [Humphrey Bogart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/humphrey-bogart/) ## More by Ranbir Kapoor > [I decide intuitively what I want to do. When directors like Imtiaz Ali, Ayan Mukerji, Anurag Basu and Anurag Kashyap, who have stories to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ranbir-kapoor/i-decide-intuitively-what-i-want-to-do-when-directors-like-imtiaz-ali/) [Ranbir Kapoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ranbir-kapoor/) > [I don't think you can force a moral opinion or you can force something through a Bollywood film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ranbir-kapoor/i-don-t-think-you-can-force-a-moral-opinion-or-you-can-force/) [Ranbir Kapoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ranbir-kapoor/) > [It's not that I am not emotional, but I am extremely secure and curb it, as I am afraid to let go and be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ranbir-kapoor/it-s-not-that-i-am-not-emotional-but-i-am-extremely-secure-and-curb/) [Ranbir Kapoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ranbir-kapoor/) > [Movies are a director's medium, and they end up getting less credit than actors. They get the flak if the movie doesn't do well,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ranbir-kapoor/movies-are-a-director-s-medium-and-they-end-up-getting-less-credit/) [Ranbir Kapoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ranbir-kapoor/) > [I like conflict - someone who challenges me, someone who I can look up to, someone who can keep me in check. Love has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ranbir-kapoor/i-like-conflict-someone-who-challenges-me-someone-who-i-can-look-up/) [Ranbir Kapoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ranbir-kapoor/) > [I believe in the institution of marriage, but one can't fix a time for it. Please don't predict it for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ranbir-kapoor/i-believe-in-the-institution-of-marriage-but-one-can-t-fix-a-time-for/) [Ranbir Kapoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ranbir-kapoor/) > [At the end, it's your movie and your performance that stands out. So if I am a good actor, and if am being part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ranbir-kapoor/at-the-end-it-s-your-movie-and-your-performance-that-stands-out-so-if/) [Ranbir Kapoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ranbir-kapoor/) > [The chemistry of a pair on screen is known only when the audience reacts to it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ranbir-kapoor/the-chemistry-of-a-pair-on-screen-is-known-only-when-the-audience/) [Ranbir Kapoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ranbir-kapoor/) > [I was never a bright student, potentially never good at dramatics; I was sometimes given one-line roles that I was happy to do so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ranbir-kapoor/i-was-never-a-bright-student-potentially-never-good-at-dramatics-i/) [Ranbir Kapoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ranbir-kapoor/) > ['Saawariya' was my debut film. It will always be the most special film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ranbir-kapoor/saawariya-was-my-debut-film-it-will-always-be-the-most-special-film/) [Ranbir Kapoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ranbir-kapoor/) > [I’m not producing movies to make money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ranbir-kapoor/i-m-not-producing-movies-to-make-money/) [Ranbir Kapoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ranbir-kapoor/) > [I myself am a great James Dean fan. He had this aura and enigma about him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ranbir-kapoor/i-myself-am-a-great-james-dean-fan-he-had-this-aura-and-enigma-about/) [Ranbir Kapoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ranbir-kapoor/) > [I truly believe that God has given us few brain cells, and you have to direct them to the right things that make you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ranbir-kapoor/i-truly-believe-that-god-has-given-us-few-brain-cells-and-you-have-to/) [Ranbir Kapoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ranbir-kapoor/) > [As an actor, we always want people to write about us and talk about us. And when they are actually writing, then we say,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ranbir-kapoor/as-an-actor-we-always-want-people-to-write-about-us-and-talk-about-us/) [Ranbir Kapoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ranbir-kapoor/) > [I come from a background where money has never been an issue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ranbir-kapoor/i-come-from-a-background-where-money-has-never-been-an-issue/) [Ranbir Kapoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ranbir-kapoor/) [Explore all 73 Ranbir Kapoor quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ranbir-kapoor/) ## More About quotes > [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. If you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-helgoe/if-you-ask-an-introvert-a-question-wait-until-she-thinks-about-it/) [Laurie Helgoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-helgoe/) > [Joking about violence is not funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/perez-hilton/joking-about-violence-is-not-funny/) [Perez Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/perez-hilton/) > [I talk to my mates about our kids, being too tired and being worn out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-willoughby/i-talk-to-my-mates-about-our-kids-being-too-tired-and-being-worn-out/) [Holly Willoughby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-willoughby/) > [With 'Pretty Girls,' I saw the opportunity to talk not just about crime but what crime leaves behind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karin-slaughter/with-pretty-girls-i-saw-the-opportunity-to-talk-not-just-about-crime/) [Karin Slaughter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karin-slaughter/) > [I write about presidents. That means I write about guys - so far. I'm interested in the people closest to them, the people they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-kearns-goodwin/i-write-about-presidents-that-means-i-write-about-guys-so-far-i-m/) [Doris Kearns Goodwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-kearns-goodwin/) > [That's something a lot of folks don't know about me - I'm pretty darn funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jai-white/that-s-something-a-lot-of-folks-don-t-know-about-me-i-m-pretty-darn/) [Michael Jai White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jai-white/) > [I learned a lot about myself at Oakmont.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-lowry/i-learned-a-lot-about-myself-at-oakmont/) [Shane Lowry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-lowry/) > [I don't think about the press or the crowds or the other leaders of the race. The focus is only on myself. As soon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magdalena-neuner/i-don-t-think-about-the-press-or-the-crowds-or-the-other-leaders-of/) [Magdalena Neuner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magdalena-neuner/) > [Sport is not just about entertainment. It is equally about winning and losing, pooling and galvanising the energy of the youth, upgrading people's physical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nita-ambani/sport-is-not-just-about-entertainment-it-is-equally-about-winning-and/) [Nita Ambani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nita-ambani/) > [One of the ways that I discovered my confidence and my ability to overpower is becoming a mother. Suddenly, my world wasn't about myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lights/one-of-the-ways-that-i-discovered-my-confidence-and-my-ability-to/) [Lights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lights/) > [I didn't want to do 'Fashion Police' because I thought, 'This is stupid, this is beneath me, who wants to talk about fashion?' It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-rivers/i-didn-t-want-to-do-fashion-police-because-i-thought-this-is-stupid/) [Joan Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-rivers/) > [I just worried about my weight. Worried about my appearance and thought I wan't pretty enough to be a pop star. It was very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-durham/i-just-worried-about-my-weight-worried-about-my-appearance-and/) [Judith Durham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-durham/) > [I read a couple of books about neuroscience and the relationship between the mind and the body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/i-read-a-couple-of-books-about-neuroscience-and-the-relationship/) [Joel Kinnaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-kinnaman/) > [There are a lot of kids out there copying and distributing movies - not because they care about seeing the movies or sharing them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-perry-barlow/there-are-a-lot-of-kids-out-there-copying-and-distributing-movies-not/) [John Perry Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-perry-barlow/) > [I have no physical genius about me. I can't dribble a ball and run at the same time, I can't do lay-ups - I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-mullins/i-have-no-physical-genius-about-me-i-can-t-dribble-a-ball-and-run-at/) [Rich Mullins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-mullins/) [Browse all 26,122 About quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/about/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The first time I thought I should be an actor was in school. I thought, 'At least this is something for which I won't have to study.' But I've realised that an actor needs to be constantly unsure about what he's doing and about what's going on around him. The moment you think you've nailed it, you're dead.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ranbir Kapoor" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ranbir-kapoor/the-first-time-i-thought-i-should-be-an-actor-was-in-school-i-thought/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "About" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ranbir-kapoor/the-first-time-i-thought-i-should-be-an-actor-was-in-school-i-thought/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee2/ranbir-kapoor-9336_about_the-first-time-i-thought-i-should-be-an_1103564.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee2/ranbir-kapoor-9336_about_the-first-time-i-thought-i-should-be-an_1103564.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee2/ranbir-kapoor-9336_about_the-first-time-i-thought-i-should-be-an_1103564.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The first time I thought I should be an actor was in school. I thought, 'At least this is something for…” — Ranbir Kapoor", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ranbir Kapoor", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ranbir-kapoor/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The first time I thought I...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ranbir-kapoor/the-first-time-i-thought-i-should-be-an-actor-was-in-school-i-thought/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ranbir-kapoor/the-first-time-i-thought-i-should-be-an-actor-was-in-school-i-thought/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```