If you were watching South Indian cinema in the late ’90s chances are you swooned over Abbas. Debuting in Kadhal Desam (1996) the actor quickly rose to fame with hits like VIP Pooveli Jeans Padayappa and Kandukondain Kandukondain. With his chocolate-boy charm and quiet intensity Abbas became a pan-India crush. But the dream didn’t last long After a string of flops in the early 2000s the actor once flooded with offers was soon relegated to supporting roles and blink-and-miss cameos. Minnale (2001) gave the spotlight to R. Madhavan. And by the mid-2000s Abbas had exited the industry altogether. Before he became a star Abbas had already battled his demons. In an emotional interview with Rednool he recalled a traumatic turning point in his youth. “During my teenage years I went through a tumultuous period where I contemplated taking my own life after failing the 10th grade. The departure of my girlfriend at the time intensified those thoughts” he said. One moment of empathy changed his fate. As he considered stepping in front of a vehicle Abbas paused. “Even in my darkest moment I found myself considering the well-being of another individual.” That single thought saved him. From the silver screen to survival jobs Abbas made a failed Bollywood debut with Ansh: The Deadly Part and his career nosedived. He found himself broke disillusioned and detached from his craft. “Some of my movies faced failure leaving me financially destitute and unable to afford even necessities like rent or cigarettes” he revealed. He sought help from producer RB Choudary and landed a role in Pooveli but the spark was gone. “I wasn’t enjoying my work.” Eventually he left India settling in New Zealand — and began rebuilding life from scratch. “I worked as a bike mechanic and drove taxis” he said describing it as survival not shame. Life in a New Land Far from film sets Abbas’s reality was simple: construction sites public restrooms and unrecognised stardom. “People there would wonder if they have seen me somewhere... I would be like ‘Yes I keep getting that’” he shared. When he occasionally admitted he was that Abbas reactions ranged from stunned to silent. He took on any work he could find — including appearing in a toilet cleaner ad. “That helped me run my household” he said. The glitz was gone but dignity remained. During the pandemic Abbas did something he rarely does: logged in. “While residing in New Zealand I utilised Zoom calls to connect with fans. I intended to assist those in need” he explained. His story one of stardom loss and silent perseverance resonated with those struggling in silence. Abbas never became a blockbuster hero. But perhaps his most inspiring role was the one off-screen that of a man who dared to begin again.