'SRK will work with me someday'
5 Jul 2007, 0000 hrs IST,SMITA KHANNA ,TIMES NEWS NETWORK
More than style and attitude, it is actor Sharad Malhotra's honesty that stands out. He talks to LT about his ambitions and a few 'unpleasant offers'.
He believes he has an attitude. He agrees he's got style. He even assures you he'll "make Ekta Kapoor produce a serial for him, something other than banal saas bahu dramas". Arrogant or optimist? Call him what you will, but Sharad Malhotra doesn't intend to change. And why should he? It isn't everyday that an actor becomes a runaway success with his very first serial!
Admire his chocolate face as much as you want, but he's sporting enough to say: "I'm still waiting for the women to come and say they love me," even as he gives you another of those disarming grins. From being a successful talent hunt contestant to easily one of the more promising stars on telly, he's traversed the road with long strides.
"Yeah, but I prefer calling myself an actor, not a star. Stars have a very short life," he says before adding, "Winning the show helped me a lot, I got to know a lot of people, grew in confidence, socialised ... that helped me a lot." Does he mean networking helps? "Definitely," he avers, "talent comes later. You've got to know the right people, become powerful. They want to know how resourceful you are."
Era could he be more explicit please? "Well, I've had a few 'offers' which were not too pleasant, if you know what I mean. I had to tell them, 'Sorry, I'm not that kind of a guy', but it's all part of the game," he shrugs nonchalantly.
So much so for the bad guys, but he's been playing the role of a man-child for a while now. Is there a child in him too? "Oh yes! I'd say there are a lot of children in me," he guffaws and adds, "I like their energy levels." Is that also why he admires SRK? "Absolutely, man! I'm dying to meet him. I know he'll work with me someday."
Wow! Doesn't he believe in modesty, does he? We hear he's also keen to work with Ekta Kapoor... "Yes, but she'll have to make something else, not her saas bahu serials . She'd better, or I won't work with her," comes the self-assured response, almost making you wonder who's going to employ whom! Any wonder we've been hearing he has an attitude problem? He brushes aside the allegations with ease.
So, how did he add the oodles of oomph to match the attitude? "This is how I am," he claims, "I cannot be fake. I tried being what I'm not and I was a total disaster, so now I prefer being myself." You thought you'd have it easy with a nice, grounded Capricorn eating out of your hand? He's proved you wrong now, hasn't he? He also leaves you a tad amazed with his parting shot: "I expect a lot out of me."
Comes on Sharad, now, don't we too!
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/City_Supplements/L ucknow_Times/SRK_will_work_with_me_someday_/articleshow/2175 518.cms