Nitin Goswami, currently starring in “Deewani,” believes that people’s perception of happiness changes at different stages of life. Over time, he has realized that happiness comes from within and cannot be found elsewhere.
He said, “I think you get to know about different stages of life. Happiness means different things. When we are young, we want something—anything materialistic—and we think that happiness will come from there. Then, as we grow up, we think that when we get a job, we will get happiness. Then we think, ‘No, when we earn this particular amount or buy this particular thing, then we will get happiness.’”
“If I talk about an actor, I used to think that earlier I was getting some small characters; if I play a negative lead, then I will get happiness; if I do the main lead, then I will get happiness; if I get this car, then I will get happiness; or if I live in that area, then I will get it. But now I have understood that happiness is not found; happiness is within you; you have to get used to being happy; things will not come to you to make you happy,” he added.
For him, defining happiness means getting into the habit of being happy. “If you are feeling happiness within you, you can be happy even by picking up a small thing, but if you keep searching for it outside, you won’t find it. My whole life, I have known that happiness is within you; to keep yourself happy, try smiling,” he said.
“If you are ever sad, try smiling once; your body will react differently. Even when people laugh, they might not know you’re happy. But when you deliberately try to be happy, you feel a lot of changes,” he added.
He believes there are no levels of happiness as it is inside you. “We often think that if we achieve certain things, we will be happy, but happiness is within you, and you need to make it a habit. It’s like an addiction; if you cultivate it, you’ll be known as an addict to happiness,” he said.
Nitin mentioned that being peaceful and satisfied leads to happiness. He stressed that people often mistake success for happiness. He said, “Success gives you temporary happiness; the habit of being happy gives you lifelong happiness. You can be happy even by picking up a small stone on the road.”
He advised, “To be successful, don’t stop dreaming. Pursue your dreams, but don’t let your happiness depend solely on your achievements.”
Reflecting on his own life, he shared moments of genuine happiness. “God has given me so much, and not everyone gets it. In my personal life, when you achieve something, and your parents proudly acknowledge it, that’s great happiness. My father, who worked in CID Police and is now retired, proudly says, ‘The hero of this show is my son.’ It’s a big thing for my parents, and it makes me feel very good that they are happy. I still have a long way to go, but seeing that I have come this far has made him very happy,” Nitin concluded.