After his remarkable performance in "Captain Phillips" alongside Tom Hanks, actor Barkhad Abdi faced an unexpected turn in his career.
Despite the assumption that starring in a blockbuster would lead to immediate further success, Abdi found himself returning to work in his brother's phone shop for a period.
Abdi's role in "Captain Phillips" was unforgettable, especially for his memorable line to Hanks: "Look at me, I'm the captain now."
His portrayal in the film was critically acclaimed, earning him a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actor and an Oscar nomination.
Recalling the moment of his nomination in 2014, Abdi shared with the BBC:
"It was surreal, being nominated. The film already had a lot of talk when it came out, it was received well and we were happy and it was good that people were saying good stuff."
"Then the nomination came and I wasn't expecting it, it was truly humbling and I was honoured. I was watching live, I couldn't sleep that night thinking about it."
"My little sister called me and then I called my mum. My sister was just screaming."
However, despite the acclaim for his debut film role, Abdi struggled to secure subsequent acting opportunities.
He explained his situation: "I decided after the movie; I had made up my mind that I wanted to be an actor,"
"but there were no jobs for me at the time because I didn't have any other experience and the film wasn't out so I decided to work with my brother rather than stay at home."
Abdi's return to his brother's phone shop was short-lived as he eventually built a successful acting career.
He has since appeared in a variety of films, taking on roles in thrillers like "Eye in the Sky" (2015), "Agent Game" (2022), and "Blade Runner 2049" (2017).
Reflecting on his journey in the film industry and his rise to fame, Abdi remarked:
"I love filmmaking and acting and it's something that I'm passionate about, so I'm truly glad that it's an adventure for me."
"I'm still a beginner in this business and I'm just looking for good stories. It's very exciting and tiring at the same time."
His experience is a testament to the unpredictable nature of the film industry, where initial success does not always guarantee immediate continuous roles, but perseverance and passion can ultimately lead to a fulfilling career.