Actor Wamiqa Gabbi took to Instagram today to post a nostalgic video clip from her early days in the film industry. The video, a snippet from Imtiaz Ali’s Love Aaj Kal (2009), shows a young Wamiqa—then a junior artist—appearing briefly in the background of the popular song 'Chor Bazaari'.
The moment holds particular significance today as Wamiqa promotes her upcoming film Bhool Chuk Maaf, which features a reimagined version of the same song. Sixteen years on, the actor who once stood in the margins now takes centre stage.
In a heartfelt letter addressed to her younger self, Wamiqa wrote, “You were always a dreamer andnd a hard-working one... You were nervous, excited, soaking it all in on that set... The same love for the camera still lives on, but this time, it’s your story.”
From her acclaimed performances in Hindi and regional films, her journey reflects persistence, versatility, and quiet resolve.
Among her other performances in a diverse range of films, her role as Niloufer Qureshi, a feisty courtesan-turned-aspiring actress in Vikramaditya Motwane's Jubilee (2023), has been one of her most appreciated. Critics lauded her for holding her own amidst a stellar ensemble cast and for infusing Niloufer with a sense of realism and fire.
Gabbi also won critical praise for her portrayal in the anthology series Modern Love: Mumbai (2022), Vishal Bhardwaj’s Khufiya (2023) and Netflix’s Charlie Chopra & The Mystery of Solang Valley.
Currently, Wamiqa is wrapping up the shoot of Godhachari 2, a Telugu action thriller, and has completed filming Bhooth Bangla, a horror-comedy opposite Akshay Kumar. She also stars in the upcoming dramedy Dil Ka Darwaza Kholna Darling alongside Jaya Bachchan and Siddhant Chaturvedi. Expanding her reach in the southern film industry, she plays a lead role in the Tamil fantasy entertainer Genie, which is slated for release soon.