Darsheel Safary ready for second innings

The youngest actor in India to be nominated for Best Actor alongside Shah Rukh Khan, Darsheel Safary established new levels of acting excellence for a child actor in "Taare Zameen Par". After some significant roles as a juvenile, he is now back to his chosen vocation.

Excerpts from the interview:

It's tough to believe you are now all grown up?

Ha ha. Yes. I am 19 now. Though I am still recognised as the kid from "Taare Zameen Par", the memory has now blurred, thankfully.

What have you been up to since TZP and the other films you did as a child?

After my phase as a child actor, I wasn't sure whether I wanted to continue as an actor. I wasn't sure of anything. My Dad told me to take a clean break from acting. In Class 11 and 12, I just enjoyed my school and friends and studies.

Then the acting bug bit you again?

Yup. Once an actor always an actor, In college I found myself doing a lot of amateur theatre, also 30-35 street plays. I was hooked. I knew I wanted to be nothing but an actor now.

Are you looking at a career in Bollywood?

Oh absolutely. But I am not in a hurry. I am only 19. I won't sign a predictable teenybopper debut where I have to dance and sing and romance a chick. I want a debut as a leading man that would be a worthy follow-up to 'Taare Zameen Par'. In the meanwhile I am committed to my play for two years.