Aditya Pancholi loses 15 kg, returns as villain

Mumbai, March 16 (IANS) He is in no mood to be written off. Actor Aditya Pancholi, known for his violent run-ins and controversies in the 80s and the 90s on the sets, is not the impetuous rebel any more.

Yoga has transformed Aditya into a mellow and effective householder. Aditya has just completed Chandan Arora's sporty drama 'Striker', where he features in a pivotal role.

'It is a triumphant return for me. I play the villain named Jaleel and the film takes my character through 25 years of life and many upheavals in Mumbai, including the Malvani communal riots. It is the most significant role of my life,' says Aditya, who has turned down roles in Boney Kapor's 'Wanted' and Ghajini' being made by A.R. Murugadoss.

Aditya has also said no to Sanjay Gupta's 'Acid Factory' (directed by Suparn Varma) although he got a second lease of life in Gupta's 'Musafir' four years ago.

Coincidentally, Aditya had walked off the sets of Suparn's 'Ek Musafir Ek Hasina' at the risk of incurring producer Pritish Nandy's wrath and further strengthening the belief that Aditya was 'impossible' to work with.

The actor on a comeback trail laughs mirthlessly. 'I won't say anything about the films I haven't done. I'd rather concentrate on 'Striker'. It has given me the creative strength to return to doing what I like doing best. I'm now being offered the kind of roles I want to do.'

For 'Striker', Aditya is sporting a striking new lean look. 'I've lost 15 kg and it's because of yoga and less alcohol. I don't drink more than two pegs in the evening. Yoga takes care of the rest. I've never been to a gym in my life.'

For the villain's part in 'Striker', Aditya had to sport a look that ranged from 20 to 45 years. 'At first, director Chandan Arora wondered how I could carry off the young look. When he saw me in front of the camera, he wondered how I managed to look old. I've known Chandan from the time he was an assistant on my film 'Hafta Bandh' in 1991,' Aditya said.

Aditya enjoyed working with Siddharth. 'He's totally consumed by his work. Sometimes, he works for 20 hours at a stretch and is still raring to go. I like the enthusiasm of the younger lot. This is the right time for me to return.'