Ruslaan Mumtaz turns 43: The chocolate boy who ruled our screens — where is he now?

Actor Ruslaan Mumtaz, who once made hearts flutter with his romantic roles, turns a year older today. If he was once your crush too, you're not alone! With films like Mera Pehla Pehla Pyaar and Teree Sang, Ruslaan’s boy-next-door charm made him a fan favourite in the late 2000s.


You might be wondering, where is he now? Ruslaan may have stepped away from the mainstream spotlight, but he’s still very much a part of the entertainment world. More than just acting, he has been using his voice to shed light on real issues that many in the industry face.



In a recent interview with IANS, Ruslaan opened up about something many actors don’t usually discuss, the emotional toll of being in the industry. He shared that loneliness is a very real challenge in showbiz. “Mental health is a huge issue, especially in today’s world. After the pandemic, we saw many cases of actors and other people in the industry struggling and even sadly taking their own lives. But the truth is, it’s not just about being an actor, people from all walks of life are dealing with this,” he said.

He went on to explain how isolation plays a major role in these struggles, saying, “The isolation is real. Social media has created a false sense of connection, but in reality, people are alone in a crowd. They don’t talk to others, and that sense of loneliness only grows.”



Ruslaan’s latest project, Tic Tac Timeout, takes on a sensitive subject, suicide. The series tries to explore what leads someone to consider ending their life but also delivers a hopeful message.

“It’s a delicate topic, for sure. But in our show, the character doesn’t go through with the suicide. In fact, we highlight the struggles of trying to end his life and how difficult it really is. The show doesn’t glorify suicide; it shows that ending one’s life is never the answer,” he said. He added, “As my character’s life changes with Leena’s arrival, he decides to live. So, the message is clear: your life can turn around at any moment, and you shouldn’t give up.”

A fun fact

Here’s a fun birthday trivia about Ruslaan Mumtaz, acting runs in his veins. His mother, Anjana Mumtaz, is a celebrated actress who has graced over 100 films across Hindi, Gujarati, and Marathi cinema.

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