SRINAGAR: For Kashmiri actor Imran Nazir Khan, winning the first season of Tribeverse was more than just another milestone in an acting career built through years of persistence in Mumbai’s competitive entertainment industry. It was, he told the media, a personal validation of the struggles, sacrifices and resilience that shaped his journey from a small town in Kashmir to the national screen.
The actor, who has worked across television, reality content and Bollywood projects over the years, emerged as the winner of the survival-based reality show set in Nagaland, defeating several contestants in physically and mentally demanding conditions.
Speaking about the experience after lifting the trophy, Imran said the show closely resembled the unpredictability of real life. “It wasn’t extremely difficult for me because real life is quite similar, and I treated the show the same way,” he told media, adding that the biggest challenge was the constant mental pressure, survival conditions and emotional strain of living in a competitive environment without basic comforts.
Shot in Nagaland, Tribeverse revolved around survival, cultural immersion and adaptation rather than scripted drama. Contestants had to cook their own food, light fires survive harsh weather and perform physically exhausting tasks while adjusting to unfamiliar tribal lifestyles and local traditions.
Imran said the experience pushed him beyond his comfort zone. “There were times I doubted myself, whether I could do it or not. But I kept reminding myself to stay positive and keep going,” he said.
The actor described Nagaland as one of the most eye-opening experiences of his life, admitting that he initially arrived with fear and misconceptions shaped by stories he had heard earlier. However, he said the warmth and hospitality of the local people completely changed his perspective.
“The people there are extremely warm, loving and welcoming. Their culture, traditions and way of life are unique and inspiring,” he said.
Known to television audiences through projects including Meri Bhavya Life and appearances in comedy and drama shows, Imran’s journey into acting was far from straightforward. Coming from a conservative business family in Kashmir, he said his decision to pursue acting was initially opposed at home.
“Ever since childhood, I wanted to become an actor. But growing up in a small town in Kashmir, with no connection to the entertainment industry, it felt almost impossible,” he recalled.
According to the actor, his family wanted him to complete engineering studies and support the family business. Although he earned an engineering degree, he eventually chose to leave for Mumbai against his family’s wishes.
“When I told them I was going to Mumbai, they were displeased and tried to stop me. But I knew if I didn’t try, I would regret it forever,” he said.
He credits much of his early support to his mother, who, he revealed, even sold her jewellery to help him survive during the difficult initial years in Mumbai.
The actor also opened up about being allegedly cheated during the early phase of his career when a person posing as an industry insider took money from him in the name of creating a film portfolio. Imran described the episode as one of the most painful experiences of his life, saying he later discovered several aspiring actors had allegedly been duped in a similar manner.
Despite repeated rejections and setbacks, he gradually found work in commercials, television roles and comedy performances before moving into larger projects. He later appeared in projects linked to Bollywood, including Yaariyan 2, while also expressing ambitions of taking on lead roles in films and digital platforms.
Imran has said that senior industry figures such as Jiten Mukhi helped him understand the functioning of the entertainment industry during his early years in Mumbai.
The actor, who has also appeared in the popular television comedy show Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai! alongside Aasif Sheikh, said comedy remains one of his favourite genres because “making people laugh is one of the hardest parts of acting.”
Reflecting on his Tribeverse victory, Imran said the show taught him more about himself than any scripted performance could.
“As actors, we usually perform with scripts and dialogues. Here, nothing was planned. Everything was real. I had to react honestly in the moment, and that made me trust my instincts more,” he said.
Even after the win, the actor said he remains focused on gradual growth rather than instant fame.
“I never forget where I came from. I moved from Kashmir to Mumbai with dreams, and I’m still working towards them step by step,” he added.
Looking ahead, Imran was quoted by media as saying that he hopes to explore more reality television formats, including adventure and celebrity-based shows, while continuing work in films, OTT platforms and digital content.
