Actor Yami Gautam has revealed that she was on the verge of quitting Bollywood before the success of Uri: The Surgical Strike and Bala revived her career, saying she had accepted that she might return home and start a completely different life, reports Bollywood Hungama.
In an interview with Filmfare, Yami reflected on the difficult period following her acclaimed debut in Vicky Donor, admitting that consistent opportunities were hard to find despite the film’s success.
Recalling that phase of uncertainty, the actor said she had mentally prepared herself to leave the industry.
“Just before Uri and Bala, I had made peace with leaving the industry altogether. I thought I’d return to Himachal. I imagined beginning a completely different life,” she said.
Yami explained that she was no longer frustrated by the lack of opportunities and had accepted the possibility of moving on from acting.
She believed she had done everything she could and was ready to embrace a quieter life in her home state.
Her career took a decisive turn in 2019 with the release of Uri: The Surgical Strike, which became a major box-office success and brought renewed recognition for her performance.
The momentum continued with Bala, further cementing her place in the industry and opening the door to more performance-oriented roles.
Following her breakthrough, Yami consciously chose projects that focused on strong storytelling and unconventional characters.
She has since headlined several critically acclaimed films, including A Thursday, Dasvi, Chor Nikal Ke Bhaaga, OMG 2 and Article 370, earning praise for her versatility and performances.
Looking back, Yami’s journey reflects how perseverance through career setbacks can eventually lead to defining opportunities, transforming one of the most uncertain periods of her life into the foundation of her success.
