India, March 26 -- For actor Saurabh Shukla, who has been a part of the industry for more than two decades now, the idea of success has never been tied to expensive cars and more, a visible symbol that often dominates conversations around actors today. In an industry where perception can sometimes overshadow performance, he draws a clear, almost old-school distinction between personal choices and professional worth, insisting that the two should never be confused.

While he admits that he enjoys the finer things in life, he says they shouldn't define him as an actor. "I love driving, I enjoy cars. I have a taste for expensive cars," he says. "But I prefer not showing all that. I prefer to be known for my work, my talent. Whether I drive a...